Design of cataloging rules using conceptual modeling of cataloging process

This article proposes a method to design cataloging rules by utilizing conceptual modeling of the cataloging process and also by applying the concept “orientedness.” It also proposes a general model for the cataloging process at the conceptual level, which is independent of any situation/system or cataloging code. A design method is made up of the following phases, including the development of a general model. Functional and non‐functional requirements are first specified by use of orientedness. Also, cataloger tasks are defined, which are constituents of the cataloging process. Second, a core model is built, which consists of (1) basic event patterns under each task, (2) action patterns applicable to each event, and (3) orientedness involved in an event‐action pair. Third, the core model is propagated to reflect the characteristics of an individual data element and also a certain class of materials. Finally, the propagated model is defined by choosing pairs of event and action patterns in the model while referring to orientedness indicated in each event‐action pair, in order to match a particular situation. As a result, a set of event‐action pairs reflecting specific requirements through categories of orientedness is obtained, and consistent and scalable design can, therefore, be attained.