Artificial intelligence as an instrument for smarter cataloguing: a prospective dialogue

Empirical evidence suggests that the hiring, training and retaining of cataloguers is increasingly challenging for libraries. While funding and advocacy with upper management and government agencies that prioritise costs without understanding the intricacies of today’s metadata ecosystem is a factor, a lower interest in the traditional competencies of cataloguers seems to be at play as well. Meanwhile, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related technologies garner interest from decision-makers for their perceived modernity and economic promises, as well as from information professionals who have developed automated metadata processes for decades. In times of economic constraints and a rapidly-changing workforce, apposite use of AI technology is a major factor, and it is incumbent on us to find how best to harness it as an efficient tool addressing the challenges we face. As far as metadata production is concerned, this could mean finding innovative ways of automating “traditional” tasks that production chains still need but cataloguers are less adept at, freeing them for the new tasks that have emerged as the consequence of the evolution of models and standards and where human intervention remains more than ever indispensable. Drawing on French and international experience, this is a dialogue between two seasoned cataloguing and bibliographic models experts who take a prospective look at the recent technological developments and their potential contribution to the challenges faced by cataloguing as a profession. It is our belief that technological progress should be about freeing human intelligence from repetitive and non-meaningful tasks, the better to bring about a world where cataloguers can focus on value-added, smarter tasks. This is how the cataloguing community has used automation in libraries in the past, and there is no reason why this should stop at the newest technologies.

Artificial intelligence as an instrument for smarter cataloguing: a prospective dialogue

Empirical evidence suggests that the hiring, training and retaining of cataloguers is increasingly challenging for libraries. While funding and advocacy with upper management and government agencies that prioritise costs without understanding the intricacies of today’s metadata ecosystem is a factor, a lower interest in the traditional competencies of cataloguers seems to be at play as well. Meanwhile, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related technologies garner interest from decision-makers for their perceived modernity and economic promises, as well as from information professionals who have developed automated metadata processes for decades. In times of economic constraints and a rapidly-changing workforce, apposite use of AI technology is a major factor, and it is incumbent on us to find how best to harness it as an efficient tool addressing the challenges we face. As far as metadata production is concerned, this could mean finding innovative ways of automating “traditional” tasks that production chains still need but cataloguers are less adept at, freeing them for the new tasks that have emerged as the consequence of the evolution of models and standards and where human intervention remains more than ever indispensable. Drawing on French and international experience, this is a dialogue between two seasoned cataloguing and bibliographic models experts who take a prospective look at the recent technological developments and their potential contribution to the challenges faced by cataloguing as a profession. It is our belief that technological progress should be about freeing human intelligence from repetitive and non-meaningful tasks, the better to bring about a world where cataloguers can focus on value-added, smarter tasks. This is how the cataloguing community has used automation in libraries in the past, and there is no reason why this should stop at the newest technologies.

Paul Gooding, Melissa Terras, Sarah Ames (Hrsg.): Library Catalogues as Data – Research, Practice and Usage. London: Facet Publishing, 2025. 228 S.

Enhancing Inclusive Bibliographic Data: A Study of Disability Terminology in the Subject Headings of the National Library of Indonesia

This study aims to examine the use and structure of disability-related subject headings in the National Library of Indonesia's controlled vocabulary system (Juliana) in relation to principles of inclusivity and bibliographic justice. The research adopts a qualitative content analysis approach to evaluate how disability terminology is applied in subject headings and metadata structures, referencing both the Juliana system and the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). The analysis focuses on four disability categories as defined by Indonesian Law No. 8 of 2016: physical, intellectual, mental, and sensory disabilities. Findings reveal that while the National Library has made progressive efforts to adopt inclusive terms such as Persons with Disabilities, Tunadaksa (physical disability), and Tunanetra (blind), several stigmatizing and outdated terms such as Cacat Jiwa (mental handicap) and Sakit Mental (mentally ill) are still present in the system. Furthermore, many subject headings lack comprehensive semantic structures, including broader terms, narrower terms, and related terms, limiting their descriptive and retrieval functions. These challenges underscore the need to situate cataloging reform within the broader framework of Universal Bibliographic Control (UBC), a principle developed by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) that promotes the global availability of bibliographic data through nationally coordinated efforts. In the context of Juliana, aligning subject headings with UBC not only facilitates international interoperability and standardization but also ensures that local terminologies evolve in ways that are culturally sensitive, socially inclusive, and ethically grounded. The study concludes that metadata systems in libraries are not neutral but serve as symbolic instruments that reflect and shape social values. Strengthening semantic relationships, replacing stigmatizing terms with rights-based alternatives, and involving the disability community in vocabulary development are key strategies toward building a more inclusive and equitable bibliographic infrastructure. Keywords: disability terminology, subject headings, Universal Bibliographic Control, inclusive metadata, National Library of Indonesia