Vendor-Supplied Records OverviewMay 2015

Jemma Hazen MSC Technical Services Support

Please be aware

• Using vendor-supplied records can save time for technical services staff in libraries

• Member libraries are increasingly loading records from third-party vendors

• As more libraries automate their cataloging the presence of vendor-supplied records will increase

Concerns with Vendor records

• Not all meeting MSC standards for quality• Lacking adequate control numbers, creating

duplicate records on load• Because some records cost money, they may

be purchased multiple times• Increased staff time to add 856s tags for e-

content• Order records are confusing to copy-catalogers

Sources of Vendor-supplied records

1. OCLC records for OverDrive titles through the MTLib2Go Consortium

2. Brief Order records and MARC records imported using EDI protocols

3. MARC records imported in batch using bib load reports

1. MTLib2Go records

2. Records imported using EDI

3. Other Batch Loaded Records

I. Records from large vendors loaded without EDI protocols

II. OCLC records for OverDrive e-content for non-MTLib2Go libraries

III. Other vendor records

III. Other Vendor Records

• Lack ISBN-13s and 035 tags• Cannot match existing MSC records/create

duplicate records• Contain proprietary fields or junktags• Not up to MSC standards

Steps to Avoid Bad Records

• Before you enter into record purchasing agreements, contact MSC Admin for help

• Vendor-record loading instructions must be requested from MSC Admin

• MSC Admin is working with libraries already involved with vendors to get better records

• Testing OCLC WorldCat Cataloging Partners

E-Content Concerns

• To prevent good records being overwritten by bad ones, 856 tags must be manually added by staff, which is time consuming

• Bib records become cluttered by multiple 856 tags, confusing to patrons and staff

• As more libraries start using e-Content these issues will intensify

Steps to Resolve Issues

• Member libraries work with MSC Admin and vendor to ensure quality records

• Member libraries do not enter into agreements for vendor records unless record quality can be assured

• MSC Admin work with libraries under existing agreements to protect catalog from poor records

Questions: Contact MSC Staff

• Open a ticket• Email msc@mt.gov• Jemma, jhazen2@mt.gov or 406.444-0242