Overview

Overview

Custom Cataloging services solve your library's cataloging and retrospective conversion challenges. We help you optimize your collection, manage your resources and provide improved service to your users. When you contract with OCLC Custom Cataloging, you partner with the most experienced cataloging professionals available today. It's like instantly adding a team of experts to your staff—experts who care about your collection as much as you do.

Solutions that save time and resources. There's truth to the adage, "If a user can't find it, the item isn't really there." The fact is, if your holdings aren't cataloged properly, or they're missing from the OPAC, they're all but invisible to your users. And that means a diminished return on the investment you've made in your library's collection.

OCLC Custom Cataloging services help you solve cataloging challenges while dramatically improving your service to users.

Custom Cataloging is much more than a single service—it is a collection of expert, inter-disciplinary capabilities that are brought together according to your needs.

Our solutions are designed for your library, whether you require ongoing cataloging, conversion or handling of special formats. We work quickly, cost effectively and with little to no impact on your library's daily operations and staff allocation.

What's more, our cataloging professionals have extensive experience implementing cataloging projects for public, academic and special libraries of all sizes. The variety and extent of their cataloging experience translates into high-quality records for your collection.

Contract cataloging

A better way to manage your current workload

Whether your library needs help with backlogs, ongoing cataloging support or handling of special format or non-English materials, OCLC can help you at a lower cost than you might expect. Contract Cataloging shares your commitment to quality and attention to detail. Services include:

Nonbook and non-English materials cataloging

Don't let unfamiliar formats or languages create a backlog in your library. OCLC catalogs materials in more than 60 languages and all formats (including DVDs, musical scores, maps and electronic resources).

Short-term fixes and ongoing cataloging support

A growing backlog of materials puts unnecessary stress on your staff and slows the pace of placing items on shelves. Let OCLC quickly eliminate your backlog by handling the cataloging for you.

Gift collection management and special projects

A sudden influx of new or unusual items, such as an unexpected gift collection, can tie up staff time and resources. OCLC develops highly customized plans to catalog and integrate donated materials into your collection.

OCLC Custom Cataloging in Canada

OCLC LTS Library Technical Services in Winnipeg, Manitoba, provides comprehensive cataloging services for libraries throughout Canada.

Retrospective conversion

Update your cataloging to full MARC format

OCLC has been the leader in conversion services for more than 30 years, processing over 100 million records for libraries worldwide. We complete conversion and upgrade projects in a fraction of the time it would take you to do it in-house. Our cataloging specialists leverage hands-on experience, proven project management and the power of WorldCat—the world's largest bibliographic database.

Traditional retrospective conversions

Make your entire collection searchable through your online library system. Improve circulation of special collections and nonbook, non-English materials. Turn your shelflist or other source media into high-quality, full MARC records.

Reclassification

While reclassification may be an important part of your future plans, it places an additional burden on your staff. We can take care of the whole project easily and efficiently so that you can take care of other concerns. We also offer different options for reclass projects to meet your library's needs.

Cataloging in more than 60 languages

Ask us about cataloging for additional languages.

Cataloging for nonbook formats

We also can catalog a wide range of special formats:

• Custom Cataloging
• At a glance
• Overview
• Contract cataloging
• Conversion
• Authority Control
• Success stories
• Ordering
• Support, training and documentation