HIT: Centralized Cataloging

[Anne Anges LeBoy <aleboy@TENET.EDU>]

A few weeks ago I asked for opinions on centralized cataloging.  A big
thanks to all of you who replied.  I tried attaching all responses with
this HIT but it was too long, so I will try to summarize.  If anyone
wants all the replies, let me know.

Out of approximately 35 responses, three were clearly for, four were
strongly against, and the rest were in between.  Several people had
worked in both kinds of systems, and were of the opinion that centralized
cataloging can be very good, but only if it is well run.  Timeliness of
receiving orders appears to be a big issue.  One librarian had to wait
two years for books to be cataloged before they reached the library.
Several librarians were all for spending less time cataloging and more
time with students, however most of the respondents wanted to maintain
some local control over catalog records, especially over call numbers.
One person expressed concern over the possibility that a district would
centralize cataloging and use this as a justification for hiring clerks
to run the libraries, and indeed this was exactly the case in another of
the responses.

I'm still not sure whether centralized processing is the best way to go,
but I really appreciated hearing all your opinions.

Anne LeBoy
Clear Lake City Elementary
Houston, TX