MARC Record Services: A Comparative Study of Library Practices and Perceptions

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The number of journal titles available in digital format to libraries through aggregators and publisher packages has increased, but library resources to catalog these titles have not kept pace with the increases. More libraries are therefore turning to MARC record service vendors to provide batches of electronic serials bibliographic records, either full or brief. This study presents the results of a survey asking library personnel about their experiences with and attitudes toward MARC record services. While many survey participants expressed satisfaction with the services, they also responded that they would like a greater number of more accurate full bibliographic records. Also, while a majority of libraries use a separate records approach with the services, a significant minority use a single record approach.

Changing from Single to Separate Records: A Case Study from the University of Nevada, Reno

“…Discontinuing the single-record approach was the only way that such a service would be a realistic option. Other libraries have come to similar conclusions; Kemp (2008) found that 55.4% of respondents using the separaterecord approach "said that their libraries transitioned from using a single record approach to separate records as a result of implementing a MARC record service" (p. 391).…”

A Survey of Batch Cataloging Practices and Problems

“…While this survey did not solicit specific record-quality problems, a few respondents offered examples, and common issues are well-documented in the literature (Kemp, 2008;Sanchez et al, 2006). Vendor batches with poor or nonexistent authority control create a tremendous amount of work for libraries, especially for the 39% of survey respondents doing this work in-house.…”

Serials Literature Review 2008–9

“…Kemp's study investigating librarian satisfaction with MARC record services revealed that most librarians were satisfied with their implementation LRTS 55 (2) of these services. 120 Librarians did complain about the number of brief records included with the service and expressed a desire for greater accuracy, but they felt that some access was better than none. Mugridge and Edmunds also discussed the benefits of batchloading MARC records sets.…”