| For LibrariansTools |
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| Introduction |
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Online Cataloguing tools that are available can be categorised into 2 types. The first type is free cataloguing tools such as
the Library of Congress Online Catalogue and Library of Congress Authorities. The second type of cataloguing tools request for
membership to be accessed. The WorldCat and ITS.MARC are among the tools that are useful to their members.
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| Library of Congress Online Catalogue |
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The Library of Congress Online Catalogue contains approximately 12 million records representing books, serials,
computer files, manuscripts, cartographic materials, music, sound recordings, and visual materials. The catalogue also
displays searching aids for users, such as cross-references and scope notes. The catalogue records reside in a single
integrated database without being separated according to type of material, language of material, date of cataloguing,
or processing/circulation status. In other words, catalogers can search, save, email and print a wide range of records.
The Library of Congress Online Catalogue is available on the web and also using the Library's Z39.50 Gateway.
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| Library of Congress Authorities |
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Library of Congress Authorities contains an approximate of:
- 265,000 subject authority records
- 5.3 million name authority records
- 350,000 series and uniform title authority records
- 340,000 name/title authority records
These records can be used to establish forms of names (for persons, places, meetings, and organizations), titles,
and subjects used on bibliographic records. Authority records enable librarians to provide uniform access to materials
in library catalogs and to provide clear identification of authors and subject headings. Associated references and scope
notes are also provided. All authority information in Library of Congress Authorities is available via Web. The authority
records can be saved, printed or emailed one at a time. Library of Congress Authorities are updated every night, Monday
through Saturday. The nightly update includes records newly created and updated the previous day by LC catalogers and
contributed by NACO participants. Any records deleted during the previous week are removed on a weekly basis early every
Monday morning.
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| ITS.MARC |
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ITS.MARC is a tool that can provide solution to cataloguing worries. It gives catalogers access to more than
15 millions MARC records on the web or z39.50.
ITS.MARC has included book jacket images, tables of contents, and reviews which enable
the cataloger to verify a record match when cataloguing quickly.
The tables of contents and reviews can assist catalogers in classification and subject assignment.
ITS.MARC also includes daily updates to the Library of Congress MARC English database.
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| WorldCat, the OCLC Online Union Catalogue |
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WorldCat is one of the world's largest bibliographic database that merged catalogs of
thousands of OCLC member libraries. It is built and maintained collectively by librarians.
WorldCat provides the foundation for many OCLC services and benefits. WorldCat benefits all
the catalogers, reference librarians and users.
Benefits for catalogers
- High quality cataloguing, which informs you library's OPAC with rich, authoritative records
- Timely cataloguing, as the range of OCLC cataloguing services ensure that your materials are processed quickly
- Locate the records that you need fast; high hit rate, less time
- Increased efficiency with the latest in cataloguing technology. Flexible browser or Windows-based interfaces,
linked authorities, and automatic extraction of metadata
- Export MARC or DC records so that your patrons can locate the materials that they need
Benefits for reference librarians and users
- Dramatically increase the quantity and types of resources available to your patrons through Interlibrary Loan,
the FirstSearch reference service and electronic content services
- Benefit from the accuracy of bibliographic and ownership data maintained through OCLC quality programs and adherence to international standards
- Enhance the range of resources you offer and reduce search complexity in FirstSearch due to linked integration with other leading service providers
- Extend the cultural diversity of your collection with resource sharing, collection sets and other services
- Offer better, faster service to patrons and improve most facets of library administration using WorldCat-enabled products
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