HIT: MARC Records--all the same?

["Wolfgram, Linda" <lwolfgram@BENTON.K12.IA.US>]

A while ago, I asked if it was possible (or a good idea) to convert a
collection to MARC records before choosing an automation system.  The
answers I received were interesting, with varying opinions on the wisdom of
such a move.  The replies follow:

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Date: Thu, 31 Oct 1996 15:43:44 -0800 (PST)
From: Karen Albrethsen <kalbreth@nsn.scs.unr.edu>

Linda,

Yes, it is possible to have your collection converted without having a
specific system in place yet.  Nevada did a study a few years ago to see
whether we could all go in together to get records converted, regardless
of system used; since I helped with the study, I'm sure of this.  However,
you might want to have some idea of the format in which the records are
delivered, since which system you choose will have a great impact on that.
For instance, most records can be fed in via 3.5" floppy disks--but that
wouldn't do you much good if your conversion vendor delivered the MARC
records on 9-track tape!  Good luck!

Karen Albrethsen, Librarian
Spring Creek Elementary School
Elko, NV  89801     kalbreth@nsns.scs.unr.edu

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Date: Thu, 31 Oct 1996 18:24:36 -0600
From: hartsock <hartsock@probe.net>

Linda,

You will need to check with your vendor to find out whose records will
import directly into your system.  Several years ago we installed
Winnebago's Circ/Cat at the high school.  We were able to borrow (for no $$)
BiblioFile records from our Area Education Agency and discovered when we
tried to import them that we needed a $180 (so much for no $$) program from
Winnebago to convert Bibliofile records.  Now I'm getting ready to convert
the middle school and have ordered Brodart's Precision One because Winnebago
told me they will import directly.  I should know for sure in a week or so.
Good luck to both of us.

As far as records purchased from vendors for specific orders - all that I've
tried require that you specify which system you're using when you order data
disks.  I've had great success with them.  I've used data from Follett,
Baker & Taylor, Watts, World Almanac, Perfection Learning & maybe some
others that I'm not remembering off the top of my head.

Christi Hartsock
Media Specialist
Underwood Community Schools
Underwood, IA   51576
(712) 566-2703
hartsock@probe.net

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Date: Thu, 31 Oct 1996 20:12:07 -0700
From: flwolfe@wave.park.wy.us (fran wolfe)

If you convert your records to the vendors software only you will only be
able to use that vendor in the future--unless you want to pay another
vendor big bucks to convert your records to their system.  Start our with
MARC records they can go anywhere.

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Date: Fri, 1 Nov 96 15:25 GST
From: cjewell@kuentos.guam.net (Clark E. Jewell)

As far as I know, the records have to be converted for the vendor's
software.  Columbia Library System did our retroconversion as well as
supplying the software and training.  For one thing, there is a difference
in the types of barcodes used by different companies.

Jeanne Jewell
Librarian
M. U. Lujan Elementary School
Yona, Guam


Date: Fri, 1 Nov 1996 07:55:55 -0600 (CST)
From: Joie Taylor <jtaylor@gilligan.esu7.k12.ne.us>

Linda,
We converted to MARC records before we installed any on-line catalogs. A
true MARC record should work in any system. The catch we found was that
not all systems handle local information in the same tag. I'm talking
about local call numbers, barcodes, price, and we had to have a building
location, which you may not.

Our solution was to select the circulation and catalog software we wanted
to buy and then worked with them to set up where we needed to put local
information. The other consideration is what type of barcode the system
will read. Most read more than one type, but you need to check before you
barcode all your materials.

Good luck.


Joie Taylor
Coordinator of Libraries                *********************************
Columbus Public Schools                         Change is difficult,
P.O. Box 947                                    even when you want it.
Columbus, NE 68602                      *********************************
(402) 563-7000
email: jtaylor@gilligan.esu7.k12.ne.us

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From: Bonnie Baumann Harrison <bharriso@silver.sdsmt.edu>
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 1996 07:30:27 -0700 (MST)

Choose your system FIRST!  I personally know of two different school
districts that wasted money by not doing this.

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Date: Sat, 2 Nov 1996 16:39:30 -0500
From: CWGMLS@aol.com

Linda,

I don't know if all MARC records are the same but I did do the
retroconversion before I bought the software and hardware.  Due to budget
constraints and administrator's wish to automate both our elementary school
libraries at the same time, we had to implement a five year plan.  In year
one, we weeded while doing a thorough inventory and writing ISBN's or LC
numbers on all shelflist cards.  We had already chosen Winnebago, so that
summer we shipped off the cards to them for the conversion.  By September
(year 2 of our plan) we bought the software and hardware.  When it arrived, I
already had all of the MARC records, downloaded the disks and was up and
running.  I am now glad I was forced to do it this way.  I can't imagine the
frustration of buying the software and hardware first and not being able to
use it fully because all of the records are not there.

Hope this helps

Chris Giunta
Park Ave. Elementary & Intermediate Schools
Freehold, NJ
cwgmls@aol.com


Linda Wolfgram, Media Specialist        lwolfgram@benton.k12.ia.us
Benton Community Middle/High School
Van Horne, Iowa                         AASL KidsConnect Volunteer