Basic Cataloging Terminology

Basic Cataloging Terminology

  1. OCLC is a worldwide database of bibliographic records. OCLC members create bibliographic records and share them for everyone subscribing to OCLC to use/adapt.

Agreements with Minitex and the MnPALS require membership in OCLC. OCLC enables copy cataloging and, in some cases, aids Interlibrary Loan. Further, OCLC requires that each member library maintain holdings in OCLC. Librarians indicate in the OCLC which titles the library owns. It is also essential to remove holdings from OCLC when an item is no longer in the library.

  1. Bibliographic Record – describes the book, DVD, CD, electronic, etc. Records. Identifying the author, title, subjects, publication information, and extent.
  1. MARC fields - the bibliographic record often contains MARC fields (numbers at the beginning of each line) See MARC information document for more information.

  1. Holding Record – is attached to the bibliographic record, which details the call number and location of the item.

  1. Item Record – is attached to the holding record and contains the barcode used for circulation.
  1. Alma is the library management system that the MnPALS consortium uses to manage library operations. Alma also powers Primo, the public discovery interface.

  1. Institution Zone (IZ) – Alma's term for internal bibliographic database for records specific to a local institution.

  1. Network Zone (NZ) – A bibliographic database shared among MnPALS members in Alma. Bibliographic records have to include an OCLC number.

  1. Community Zone (CZ) – Alma shared a bibliographic database from Ex Libris and Vendors, containing only electronic resources. Generally, records from the CZ are activated, not cataloged.
  1. Original Cataloging means that the OCLC bibliographic database does not hold the item in your hand. Original Cataloging requires some in-depth cataloging knowledge.

  1. Copy-cataloging means that a matching bibliographic record exists in OCLC's database. As a member of the MnPALS consortium, copy-catalog activity can happen using Alma's Network Zone, Alma's direct integration to OCLC, or importing records from OCLC's database to Alma.


    • Related Articles

    • Getting Started With Cataloging

      Some basic documentation to get started with MARC21 and Alma cataloging. Basic Terminology - Basic cataloging terms to get started with. Basic MARC21 - Basic MARC field definitions for physical books. Copy cataloging using the Network Zone - Using ...

    • Network Zone Copy Cataloging Workflow

      Basic copy-cataloging workflow using bibliographic records from the Network Zone. Searching the Network Zone In Alma, perform an All Titles, Title, or ISBN/ISSN search, using the Network Zone search scope. Adding Inventory Upon retrieving a matching ...

    • Copy Cataloging using Search Resources

      Search and import bibliographic records from search resources (OCLC) using Alma. Check Placement of the Bibliographic Record To determine record placement, open the Metadata Editor. From the new menu, choose Placement Options. Placement of new ...

    • Listing all Resource Management documentation

      Basic Cataloging and MARC field information Basic Cataloging Terminology: Cataloging terms to know. Basic MARC field information: MARC format, basic field explanation. Basic copy-cataloging instructions: Copy-cataloging instructions. OCLC and ...

    • Basic MARC field explanation

      This document is intended for the casual copy cataloger, focusing on the physical book. For a comprehensive list of MARC fields, see the following resources. Resources: Bibliographic Formats and Standards - OCLC MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data: ...