The actual prospects for a national network which can provide full bibliographic control are not at all clear. There is some danger that changes presently underway in the existing system will make the ultimate goal even more difficult to attain. In particular, the adoption of the new cataloging rules (AACR 2), and the decision of the Library of Congress to close its present catalog may have serious effects. The former is a solution to a problem which is already past, while the latter may well be premature. The opportunity to rethink the substantive nature of the cataloging process, in preparation for the massive conversion to online systems, is being wasted. -- AATA