Cooperative and Contract Cataloging of Foreign-Language Materials in Academic and Research Libraries

Abstract

Many collections of foreign-language materials remain uncataloged because of the lack of catalogers proficient in the uncommon languages. No-way and three-way cooperative exchanges and contractual arrangements among libraries are ways to obtain cataloging. Libraries Hilling to participate in cooperative exchanges must locate reciprocating partners. Those wanting a contractual arrangement must find other libraries willing to accept materials, offering the required language proficiency, and charging acceptable fees. Potential two-way and three-way cooperative exchanges and potential contractual arrangements between sending and receiving libraries are investigated. These modes of outsourcing cataloging to other libraries, although a partial solution, could substantially reduce the size of backlogs.