Service number 02
Cataloguing and Metadata
Cataloguing is the difference between a store of books and a searchable collection. We produce records that follow RDA and MARC21 properly, with authority-controlled headings and classification applied the same way on the ten-thousandth record as on the first.
| Standards | RDA, MARC21, AACR2 legacy handling |
|---|---|
| Classification | DDC 23, UDC, or local scheme |
| Subject vocabulary | LCSH, MeSH, or institutional list |
| Exchange formats | MARC21 (ISO 2709), MARCXML, MODS, Dublin Core |
Section 01
What you receive.
- RDA-compliant MARC21 bibliographic records with holdings
- Authority records for names, corporate bodies, series and subjects
- Classification and call numbers to DDC or a scheme you already use
- Duplicate detection and merge reporting
- Catalogue manual documenting local practice decisions
Section 02
How the work runs.
- Agree a local cataloguing policy and record template
- Copy-catalogue against trusted sources where matches exist
- Originate records for the remainder, with authority control applied
- Run consistency checks on headings, classification and holdings
- Load in batches with error reports resolved before sign-off
Section 03
Who this is for.
- Libraries with uncatalogued backlogs
- Institutions standardising records inherited from several systems
- Libraries preparing for a catalogue migration or union listing
Section 04
Questions we are usually asked.
- What happens to our legacy AACR2 records?
- They are retained and mapped rather than discarded. We upgrade fields where RDA requires it, keep the original data traceable, and record every transformation rule in the catalogue manual.
- Can records be delivered without a system migration?
- Yes. Records can be delivered as MARC21 or MARCXML files for you to load into your existing catalogue at a time of your choosing.
Section 05
Enquire about cataloguing and metadata.
Tell us the size of the collection, the systems already in use, and the deadline you are working to. That is enough for a useful first reply.