CURL and resource description and discovery

Abstract

This paper reviews the contribution which CURL has made to resource description and discovery since its formation in 1983. After an initial summary of CURL's current commitment in this area, as reflected in its strategic and operational plans, an overview is given of CURL database and catalogue services. This traces the early years of the record retrieval database and, from 1995, its funding by JISC for development into an online catalogue (COPAC), as well as CURL's more recent participation in the United Kingdom Higher Education Archives Hub. CURL's activities in retrospective conversion are also surveyed, including an audit of outstanding needs in CURL libraries and CURL‐related projects for the Research Support Libraries Programme. A conclusion attempts to draw up a balance‐sheet of CURL involvement in resource description and discovery, summarising what has been achieved and what remains to be done.