Cataloging and expert systems: AACR2 as a knowledge base
Roland Hjerppe, Birgitta Olander · Journal of the American Society for Information Science · 1989
A project where two expert systems were built for library cataloging is described. The main task for these systems was to choose access points, identifying main and added entries. The resulting ESSCAPE systems and the increased understanding of the cataloging process and AACR2 developed in the project are discussed. Some of the insights gained are presented under headings such as: Expert systems and cataloging, Cataloging as interpretation, The structure of AACR2. Some reflections on rule sets in general are also included. The general conclusion is that at present expert systems for cataloging can be used to produce correct bibliographic records, which might be useful in nontraditional environments. In normal library settings such systems would seem to be less meaningful, however. The research reported here was funded by grants from the Swedish Delegation for Scientific and Technical Information. The ESSCAPE project was also presented at the 51st IFLA Council and General Conference, Chicago, August 18–24, 1985. © 1989 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.