Migrating a specialized locally created database into WorldCat
| Published date | 08 February 2016 |
| Pages | 41-51 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-08-2015-0011 |
| Date | 08 February 2016 |
| Author | David N. Nelson,Larry Hansard,Linda Turney |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology |
Migrating a specialized locally
created database into WorldCat
David N. Nelson, Larry Hansard and Linda Turney
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the process and the personnel skills required for
converting a non-MARC database le into a MARC le for uploading to both OCLC and a local catalog.
It also examines the various decisions that need to be made when mapping from one le structure to
another.
Design/methodology/approach – Applied–Database record conversion.
Findings – While MARCEDIT is a remarkably powerful tool for cataloging and database
maintenance purposes, dealing with non-MARC records requires additional programming skills and
tools for the successful completion of a le conversion project.
Practical implications – Discusses the importance of converting locally produced databases,
especially those with bibliographic content, to national and international standards to signicantly
increase their discoverability.
Originality/value – Provides an overview of le conversion issues and considerations.
Keywords MARC, XML, Conversion projects, InMagic, MARCEDIT, Standalone databases
Paper type Research paper
The Center for Popular Music (CPM) at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) has
a large and unique collection of posters, playbills and programs from the 19th and early
20th centuries. The items had been cataloged over the past decade and placed in a locally
produced InMagic database. The items in the database were discoverable only from the
CPM Web site. The James E. Walker Library at MTSU has expertise in developing
programs to create MARC records that can be loaded into WorldCat, thus exposing the
items to the world of Internet users. The MTSU library collaborated with CPM to extract
the data from CPM’s InMagic database and developed programs to create MARC
records for nearly 100k items. This paper will discuss that collaboration and the
workow that was necessary to extract, create and load records into WorldCat,
highlighting the number of not-trivial problems that were encountered during the
overall process.
Locally produced databases as “Hidden collections”
There exist numerous locally produced bibliographic databases of various subject
collections. These databases have been created by various institutions and entities,
often outside of a library’s sphere of responsibility, over the past three decades. These
locally created databases frequently consist of materials, e.g. print, media, sound, video,
that would be cataloged using the widely accepted standards that libraries utilize in
their cataloging of materials. One notable characteristic of the various standalone
databases is the type of metadata encountered in the records. Previous decisions made
regarding the metadata elements that are used in the cataloging process constitute one
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
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WorldCat
41
Received 28 August 2015
Revised 14 September 2015
Accepted 14 September 2015
DigitalLibrary Perspectives
Vol.32 No. 1, 2016
pp.41-51
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2059-5816
DOI 10.1108/DLP-08-2015-0011
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