OCLC Cataloging Research Articles

OML and INNOPAC

Although intended primarily for use with the OCLC cataloging subsystem, Passport for Windows (PFW) and OCLC Macro Language (OML) can be used with any telnet application, including the local library automated systems. On the Innovative system, the screen design and organization of the menuing system, unique identification of most screens and subscreens, and modular re‐use of subsystems make the writing of “macros” rather easy. However, other aspects such as timing issues related to telecommunications and screen synchronization are extremely challenging and often frustrating to work with. Undoubtedly, the use of OML macros with the Innovative system has saved considerable staff time and effort.

Cutting Cataloging Costs: Accepting LC Classification Call Numbers from OCLC Cataloging Copy

Cataloging policy at the University of Alabama Libraries allows the acceptance of LC classification call numbers from OCLC cataloging copy into the local database without shelflisting. In this study, we measured error rates for locally unshelflisted samples and a control group of locally assigned and shelflisted call numbers to determine whether this policy produces disarrangement of the local online shelflist. The results show no significant differences between samples, indicating that cataloger’s task of local shelflisting is not a cost-effective use of their time. An analysis of the error data suggests that the types of disorder created by shelflisting errors would not impede the retrieval of items while subject browsing, but further study is needed to confirm this.

OCLC Users’ Council minutes, May 21‐23, 1995

Details the last OCLC Users′ Council meeting which had the theme “Cooperation and competition: OCLC and libraries′ strategies for the next generation”. Reports include: the delegate algorithm task force report; OCLC reference services; OCLC cataloging and resource sharing; the Users′ Council executive committee report on telecommunications; access to OCLC services – trends pricing and the future. Concludes with a summary of the question/answer and old business sessions.

Bibliographic Control of a Technical Report Series Through OCLC Cataloging and Indexing/Abstracting Services

ABSTRACT. Ensuring bibliographic access to a university research institute's technical report series demands that the reports be cata- loged, input into OCLC, and sent to relevant indexinglabstracting services. Librarians at Wichita State University implemented stan- dards and procedures to process a technical report series produced by h e University's National Institute for Aviation Research. This paper includes: a history of the Institute, the development of the report series, selected indexinglabslracting services, details of a cala- loging pilot project, and a description of current cataloging proce- dures with MARC fields.

Strategies for Reducing Billable OCLC Searches Used in Cataloging

OCLC's new contribution pricing structure, with its reduced search-to-produce threshold ratio, could significantly increase a library's OCLC cataloging processing cost. This study offers various strategies devised for containing this increase. The searching costs of the University of Dayton Libraries are compared under the old and the new rates. New credit-earning and cost-saving methods now available in the PRISM Service are recommended in order to contain costs.

Copy Cataloging of Serials

Copy cataloging of serials at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is done in the OCLC cataloging unit of the Automated Services department. Matching OCLC records were found for just over 81 per cent of the serial titles searched from July 1989 through June 1990. One full-time paraprofessional is responsible for copy editing and classification A professional librarian spends approximately two hours a week in consultation with the paraprofessional to resolve complex problems. The UIUC computerized calalog, search searching routines, and serial copy editing procedures are described.

Streamlining a Conversion Project with a Staff PC Workstation and Shelf List Sampling

Several novel methods used at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Chaypaign to enable more efficient retrospective conversion projects are explored in this paper. First, a staff PC workstation interface was developed to facilitate processing of shelf list information, both for the local online catalog and for OCLC cataloging. Second, shelf list sampling was used to derive cost estimates for the project. Recommendations for future use of these and similar methods are discussed.

GPO cataloging: Is it a viable current access tool for U.S. documents?

The decision of the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) to join the OCLC cataloging network and the resulting availability of GPO Monthly Catalog tapes present libraries with an economically attractive and feasible means of providing enhanced bibliographic access to U.S. government publications in their rapidly developing online catalogs. The time lag which exists between the receipt of depository materials and the availability of their cataloging data, however, raises serious concerns over the timeliness of GPO cataloging and its efficacy as a current bibliographic access tool for U.S. documents. This study attempts to identify and ascertain the extent and the patterns of the time lag between the receipt of depository publications and the availability of GPO's cataloging records for these materials. The findings of this study will enable librarians to assess the viability of GPO's cataloging data made available on Monthly Catalog tapes as the primary bibliographic access tool for U.S. government publications.

HSOCLCUG

In 1975 the Heatlh Sciences OCLC Users Group (HSOCLCUG) was organized in order to establish a forum for communication, to provide information about following the National Library of Medicine cataloging practices in the OCLC Cataloging Subsystem, to maintain close relations with the National Library of Medcine and the Medical Library Association and to represent its constituency to OCLC. A newsletter is issued and an annual meeting is held to keep the membership informed. As new OCLC subsystems have been implemented, HSOCLCUG has studied their impact on health sciences libraries. Interests of the group have broadened to include interlibrary loan, serials control, retrospective conversion, and automation. There are now more than two hundred and fifty members.

Using CAT ME on a Laptop

Since we became a test library for version 4.0 of the OCLC Cataloging Micro Enhancer software (CAT ME), several catalogers at Duke University Library have been experimenting with using laptop computers to edit OCLC records. We're investigating the advantages of offline editing during normal working hours, editing by the cataloger, and the convenience of working at a desk where books to be cataloged as well as reference sources (e.g., classification schedules and Cutter tables) are handy. We hope to determine if it's efficient for catalogers to do their own entry.

Loading the GPO tapes—what does it really mean?

Since 1976 the Government Printing Office has been creating machine readable bibliographic records for United States federal documents through the OCLC cataloging subsystem. The Library of Congress makes these records available to the public through its Cataloging Distribution Service (CDS). Over the years libraries have had difficulty in mounting the GPO Monthly Catalog of United States Government Publications tapes onto local computer systems partly because of the differences in OCLC/MARC and USMARC and because of the lack of complete technical documentation to accompany the tapes. This article outlines some of the differences in OCLC/MARC and USMARC as reflected in the GPO Monthly Catalog tapes. Also summarized is the processing done to the tapes from the time they are received by GPO until they are distributed by LC/CDS. Finally, the necessity for complete technical documentation is stressed and current activities by the GPO to provide such documentation is reviewed.

<TAB> for <BACKTAB> the M300 Workstation

In case you haven't read or thought enough about ways to define the function keys on the M300 Workstation, here is another possible set of definitions. These definitions stem from my frustration with the present lack of a TAB key for the OCLC Cataloging Subsystem; it seems as though I spend considerable time each working day with the right or left arrow pressed, waiting for the cursor to reach the middle of a line of text.

Printing CATME Labels with WordPerfect

We are enthusiastic about the OCLC Cataloging Micro Enhancer program (CATME), particularly the time we save when searching and editing offline and the bonus of sending our FTUs in nonprime time. And we were looking forward to abandoning our old method of printing card pockets for multiple copies of items.

Letting ME Do It

“But how do we change our workflow to make the best use of this new cataloging tool?” This was the question we asked when the OCLC Cataloging Micro Enhancer software (CAT ME) appeared in the catalog department at Oregon State. A new whiz kid had joined the OCLC family, and we wanted to become acquainted with its strengths and limitations. But we didn't want to introduce changes in our cataloging procedures that would result in more book and printout shuffling rather than less.

Coping with the OCLC Cataloging Subsystem (Book Review)

Coping with the OCLC Cataloging Subsystem (Book Review)

The new use of the oclc cataloging subsystem: acquisitions

The University of Michigan-Dearborn Library has devised a method of using the OCLC cataloging subsystem in acquisitions. A new type of order form has been created by the addition of essential order information to a printout of the OCLC cataloging entry on multi-part computer paper. In the area of acquisitions, this form has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the amount of typing done, the use of more accurate bibliographic information in the order process, the elimination of unnecessary files, and the simplification of some order routines. In addition, cataloging copy is provided, thus permitting more effective use of terminal time.