The Ohio College Library Center: An Overview. Report No. 1

Abstract

The Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) is a nonprofit computerized library processing center operating out of Columbus, Ohio. Six years after its incorporation, OCLC is now mainly in the business of operating a shared cataloging system and producing catalog cards designed to meet the needs of each of its member libraries. OCLC also maintains a union catalog of its member libraries as a byproduct of this service. Its data base grows at the rate of about 1,000 records per day, both Library of Congress (LC) MARC records and the original cataloging done by member libraries. Catalogers in OCLC's member libraries, using their computer display terminals, can call up records in catalog card format by imputing LC number, author, or title. Records can be modified online to meet local needs. This report further describes OCLC in terms of the basic cataloging process, the system's advantages and disadvantages, and the costs to and responsibilities of participating libraries. Appendixes outline planned OCLC subsystems and LC's MARC and RECON projects. Sample OCLC printouts are included. (Author/SL)