Pauline Atherton Cochrane (1929 – July 29, 2024) was an American librarian and one of the most highly cited authors in the field of library and information sciences.
[1] She is considered to have been a leading researcher in the campaign to redesign catalogues and indexes to provide improved online subject access in library and information services as well as "a leading teacher and theorist in cataloging, indexing, and information access.
During her tenure ASIS&T began a continuing education program and prepared an international information science directory.
She continued in her work to help librarians learn how to use "newer" technology to help patrons find information and created a six part continuing education series for the American Library Association's magazine American Libraries.
[7] Entitled Modern Subject Access in the Online Age Cochrane's lessons, co-written with various LIS colleagues, tackled topics such as creating a professional theory of information seeking behavior in users as well as an early awareness of information overload.