Pursuing High Quality in Library Services – NUKAT Union Catalog [poster]

Author: Agnieszka Kasprzyk,  NUKAT Center, Poland

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Abstract

Brief presentation on the changes to library workflow and services in Poland introduced with cooperative cataloging in NUKAT union catalog. 1. Simplification of cataloging process: each record is built once in the union database and copied to the local catalogs – dramatic decrease in work duplication means more more time for other tasks.

2. Improvements in data quality: union database controlled with authority file and complying with cataloging standards allows for high consistency and quality of data in the local catalogs. Quality data may be easily operated with various systems and modern search tools and their construction and storage in the union database simplify their processing, for instance modifications.

3. Accessible online central source of information on most recent acquisitions of cooperating libraries: in opposition to virtual catalogs based on Z39.50 NUKAT provides access to all data it contains through several search methods. Search effectiveness is enhanced with the presence of authority records and compliance with cataloging standards.

About the author

In 2002 MA diploma in Linguistics at the Institute of English Studies, Warsaw University. September 2001-March 2004 – the database operator at the Center for Formats and Authority Files (later NUKAT Center), Warsaw University Library. Since April 2004 PR& Research Assistant for NUKAT Center – the supervising body for NUKAT – National Union Catalog for Polish Academic and Research Libraries.