[Original posting on this topic appeared in COLLDV-L 1342 and is reproduced
below; the response follows it.]
From: "Lauren Corbett" <corbettl_at_Rex.queens.edu>
I am looking for feedback on the value and effectiveness of the OCLC
Selection and PrompCat services. I am particularly interested in
small academic libraries, but will gratefully accept all replies. I
would like to know how long your library has used the service(s) and
if any cost analysis information can be shared. Please forgive
cross-postings. Thank you for any help you can provide.
Lauren Corbett
Collection Management Librarian
Everett Library, Queens College
Charlotte, NC
Phone: 704 337-2278 Fax: 704 337-2517
corbettl_at_rex.queens.edu
===================================================================
(1) From: Dilys Morris <DMORRIS_at_gwgate.lib.iastate.edu>
Iowa State University Library implemented OCLC PromptCat in October
1996 with our approval materials (Yankee Book Peddler). It went
smoothly in the beginning, but we are experiencing troubles now, but
expect them to be overcome. The processing of three approval
shipments was delayed because of non-receipt of the EDX files. The
last 2 file receipt problems resulted from technological problems at
OCLC. There have been a few mismatched records due to the OCLC
algorithm being limited to card number and publication date.
PromptCat record receipt was absorbed in the Approval workflow with
no change in staffing. A little over 70 percent of the titles have a full LC
record that we use. Yankee is updating CIP and OCLC began loading
these updates in January. We hope the percent of titles with full LC
records will increase to about 85%.
We use PromptCat as an automated sort of cataloging records which
can be added to the catalog without a cataloger's review. Catalogers
who formerly handled these LC records have been reclassified and now
handle member records and LC records which fall outside of the
approval program. Copy catalogers will refer to original catalogers,
records which require greater expertise or more effort than copy
catalogers should provide.
In cost studies here we found that ordering and receiving a monograph
is not less expensive than cataloging a monograph ( a surprise).
Approval material with LC records was the easiest cataloging and was
immediately processed at receipt. We do not see OCLC PromptCat as a
way of reducing costs or even processing material more quickly, rather it
sorts cataloging records automatically and allows us to use our staff
differently and we hope more effectively.
Dilys E. Morris
Assistant Director for Technical Services
Received on Tue Mar 18 1997 - 16:46:14 EST