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If you are interested in information about our bibliographic services, please call or email us:
PRODUCT & SERVICE INFORMATION
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Phone: (800) 474-9816
Email: support@brodart.com
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If you are uncertain where to find help at Brodart, start by contacting our customer service department:
CUSTOMER SERVICE
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Phone: (800) 474-9802
Email: bookscs@brodart.com
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Conversion
As your library changes and grows, you may need to convert your collection from one classification scheme to another. Or to convert from manual data maintenance to an automated system.
Retrospective Conversion
Retrospective conversion is the transfer of bibliographic information typically shown on shelf list cards into a universal, standard format known as MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) format. The records created in the conversion are the foundation of an automated library system, so the quality of the conversion is critical. Brodart has converted millions of shelf list cards for thousands of libraries in both school and public libraries.
Resources - We use the complete Library of Congress database (over six million records) and supplement it with several proprietary databases containing over ten million records. These records come from our conversion experience and from Brodart's professional catalogers. All records cataloged since the inception of AACR2 reflect those standards. Most of the additional records use similar standards.
Quality Control - Our quality controls are the best in the industry. They are so good, in fact, that we guarantee over 99% accuracy. We thoroughly analyze your collection before beginning work on it, customizing as your needs require.
Matching & Editing - Our process of matching and editing is completely manual, which means no false hits compromise the integrity of your data. The information on your shelf list card is matched to an existing MARC record in one of our databases. This match is done according to specifications by a trained specialist. Only on a match is a MARC record accepted into your library's database.
Once a MARC record is established for your collection, your "local" holdings/call number is keyed into an 852 (location) field on that record (alternative fields may be profiled).
Timeline - We provide reliable, preestablished shelf list turnaround timelines. Most conversion projects are completed as follows:
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Up to 20,000 shelflist records |
6 to 8 weeks
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20,000 to 50,000 records |
7 to 11 weeks
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50,000 to 100,000 records |
8 to 13 weeks
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Optional Services - Brodart offers the following optional retrospective conversion services:
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Generation of bar code numbers and "smart" bar code labels with plastic protectors.
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Addition of bar code numbers from the shelf list cards to the library's MARC records.
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Dewey to LC Conversion
The process of converting from one classification scheme to another requires the comparison of existing records to those in an alternative database. Brodart uses the rigorous criteria noted above to compare and "match" records.
On a match, local call numbers can be converted from Dewey Decimal Classification to Library of Congress Classification or vice versa. Options include a cross reference listing from old classification to new for relabeling and reshelving, new spine labels, and a listing of records which did not get converted.
Record-to-Record Matching Criteria
Brodart uses the following criteria to determine a "match" between two records:
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Title (245 $a, $b)
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GMD for non-book formats (245 $h)
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Publisher (260 $b) [affiliate/subsidiary accepted as is]
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Publication date (260 $c) +/- two years
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An edition statement (250 $a) [if there is not edition statment, a first edition is assumed]
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Pagination (300 $a) +/- 20 pages
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These matching specifications are negotiable and are the basis for both retrospective and call number conversion.
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