Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to investigate how Swiss public libraries are experiencing a normative revolution connected to new cataloging standards, such as RDA and the FRBRization of catalogs. Design/methodology/approach-Thanks to semi-structured interviews, the paper analyzes the current positioning of Swiss public libraries on the "bibliographic transition" issue by using a case study of the network of municipal libraries in Geneva. Findings-In Switzerland, the federal and multi-linguistic structure of the library networks increases the organizational obstacles to the adoption of new cataloging principles and formats. At the local level, the Swiss municipal libraries have to cope with this complexity to transform their structures and continue to offer competitive and effective services to their users. Practical implications-The paper proposes six scenarios of technology watershed for the analyzed case study and their consequences for cataloging standards and rules. Social implications-The paper shows how the adoption of technological and conceptual innovations has to be done in the face of real organizational and administrative constraints, especially in the case of public lending libraries. Originality/value-The paper analyzes at the empirical and theoretical levels how, especially in Switzerland, the variety of governance levels and linguistic areas have made strategizing more complex for public lending libraries.

Le Groupe citoyen « Culture religieuse et humaniste à l’école laïque », arrivé à la fin de ses activités, souhaitait mettre ses archives à disposition du public. C’est le début d’un échange fructueux entre chercheur.euse.s, étudiant.e.s, sociologues, archivistes et membres actifs du Groupe citoyen en question. Les documents sont évalués, décrits, classés, en même temps qu’ils sont exploités par des scientifiques. Il en ressort la publication d’un ouvrage, un colloque sur deux jours regroupant de nombreu.se.s intervenant.e.s, et le dépôt du fonds dans une institution d’archivage qui s’empresse de le mettre à disposition du public. Cette expérience enrichissante montre les possibilités qui existent lorsque producteur.ice.s de documents, scientifiques et professionnel.le.s de l’information unissent leurs compétences. Elle souligne aussi l’importance de conserver la mémoire de l’action citoyenne au sens large, au-delà de l’action des seuls services de l’Etat. Abstract The Citizen's Group « Culture religieuse et humaniste à l’école laïque » ("Religious and Humanist Culture in Secular Schools"), having reached the end of its activities, wished to make its archives available to the public. This is the beginning of a fruitful exchange between researchers, students, sociologists, archivists and active members of the Citizen Group. The documents are evaluated, described and classified, while at the same time they are used by scientists. The result was the publication of a book, a two-day symposium attended by many speakers, and the deposit of the documents in an archival institution, which promptly made it available to the public. This enriching experience shows the possibilities that exist when document producers, scientists and information professionals combine their skills. It also underlines the importance of preserving the memory of citizen action in the broadest sense, beyond the actions of state services alone.