MARC Records MachineReadable Cataloging

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MARC Records(Machine-Readable Cataloging)

• Request For Proposal to Cleanup and Upgrade SAISD
  Schools Bibliographic Data in the school library
  automation systems.

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SAISD Library Automation System prior to 1999

• Libraries had the Follett Unison System
• The circulation computer was stand alone.
• The computer was only used for checking books in
  and out of the library.
• No networking connections were available.
• Very brief records were inputted in the computer.

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SAISD Library Automation from 1999-2000

• Libraries started using the AFW
• (Alexandria For Windows)
• Now the circulation computer and the student
  stations are networked together.
• This allowed students and staff to search for
  books in their library.
• Students and staff could also check the status
  availability from any web-enabled computers.
• (continued on next slide)

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• During this conversion, some data was not
  transferred properly into the right fields.
• Attending professional development on this
  program, inputting information on books and
  continuing student classes kept librarians very
  busy.
• These time constraints limited the librarians
  from keeping the automation system current.

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SAISD Library Automation from 2000 to present
date

• Librarians started using Alexandria (AFW
  developed a new and better automated system)
• This new system was now more stable and reliable.
• The system allowed students and staff to search
  by subject or key words (not just titles).
• The data became more corrupted because it went
  from AFW to Alexandria and all information was
  not up-to-date due to brief records.
• The conversion would have been possible with no
  problems if there had been a district standard.
• Again, because of time constraints, librarians
  were not able to input and correct all
  information necessary.

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What does MARC mean?

• According to the Library of Congress,
  Machine-readable means that the computer can read
  and interpret the data in the cataloging record.
• Cataloging record means a bibliographic record or
  the information traditionally shown on the
  catalog card.

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Traditional Catalog Card

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Why is a MARC Record necessary?

• The information from a catalog card cannot simply
  be typed into a computer.
• The computer needs a means of interpreting the
  information found on a cataloging record.
• The MARC record contains a guide to its data, or
  little signposts, before each piece of
  bibliographic information.
• (continued on next slide)

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• Choosing to use MARC enables libraries to acquire
  cataloging data that is predictable and reliable.
• If a library were to develop a home-grown
  system that did not use MARC records, it would
  not be taking advantage of an industry-wide
  standard whose primary purpose is to foster
  communication and information.
• Since there was no district standard before AFW,
  SAISD records are not uniform.
• By converting to full MARC records, students and
  staff would have the benefits of this
  industry-wide standard.

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Summary of Estimated Costs for SAISD

• 50 schools at 82,225
• 8 High Schools
• 17 Middle Schools
• 25 Elementaries (largest total of books)

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