Copy cataloging

From LISWiki

Copy Cataloging is the process of building upon original cataloging. It involves matching an established bibligraphic record, examples are the OCLC WorldCat Catalog or Library of Congress Catalog which hold millions of catalog MARC records, with an exact duplicate item described to be added into a collection.

The use of copy cataloging facilitates resource and bibliographic sharing. Without copy cataloging libraries, organizations, and individuals would be doing original record creation, at much greater expense and heavier use of available staff time. Sometimes records are improved and or corrected in the process of copy cataloging, such as upgrading minimal-level vendor copy.

As a general rule, copy cataloging alone is not generally considered "professional" level work (e.g. requiring an MLS degree to perform), although some copy cataloging, such as upgrading and improving minimal level records, does reach a level of complexity that rivals original cataloging and is appropriate for a credentialed librarian to perform alongside original cataloging and/or other tech services duties. This is sometimes called Advanced Copy Cataloging. Advanced Copy Cataloging is often called for in the case of foreign-language monographs where the vendor copy at hand is very minimal, and is not AACR2 compliant. The record must be made AACR2 compliant, and the cataloger must have sufficient reading knowledge of the foreign language material in order to analyze the content and supply appropriate subject headings and a suitable classification number to the work. The level of education required to do this is often beyond the reach of many paraprofessional copy-catalogers, so such advanced copy cataloging is often turned over to original catalogers with the MLS or equivalent Masters-level library degree.