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Newsgroups: bit.listserv.advanc-l
Date:         Wed, 11 Nov 1992 13:05:07 PST
              <ADVANC-L@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         hye_ok_park@CSUFRESNO.EDU
Subject:      Re: Cataloging module
              11, 92 9:17 am

One of the few problems that we experience in using the ADVANCE CAT.
module is that we can not download records from OCLC with Dewey Class.
Numbers.  After much testing and questioning, we were finally told
that ADVANCE "just doesn't handle Dewey numbers well."  Actually it
doesn't at all but creates a blank pieces record for lack of
recognizable call number to build it on.  Fortunately the majority of
our collections is in LC Class.  So the Cat.Dept. sends an OCLC record
down with the call number in 099 or 090 and then corrects it in
ADVANCE.

Another issue that irritates the Cat. Dept. people very much is the
difficulty in searching by OCLC number.  We did get a fix put on that
permits us to search the more current OCLC number (the ones with ocm-
prefix) with ease.  But searching for an OCLC (pre-1968) number is
pretty difficult, when it works!

We are still in the process of loading and indexing the retrospective
authority record tapes and have not begun dealing with updating,
downloading, etc.  We have requested for a separate training on
Authority control.  Other than that Cat. module seems to have fewer
anomalies than Circ. module. -- Hye Ok Park, CSU Fresno

>
> Kai Stoeckenius said:
>
> >
> > After monitoring the GEAC ADVANCE user's list for about three months, I have
> > found very little discussion of the ADVANCE cataloging module.  We are
> > exploring implementation of cataloging on ADVANCE at Boise State and would
> > be interested in the experiences of other libraries who have, or are con-
> > sidering using the ADVANCE cataloging module for inputting records.
> > in the experiences of other libraries who have
> >
> > Kai Stoeckenius
> > Asst. Technical Services Librarian
> > Boise State University Library
> > alistoec@idbsu.bitnet
> > alistoec@idbsu.idbsu.edu
> >
> Kai - the reason you don't see much discussion of the ADVANCE cataloging
> module is there isn't much to discuss.  The MAJOR bugs have been fixed
> and downloading from OCLC seems to work well for most sites (in my
> observations).  The authority control is really nice and allows you to
> change all bib records by changing one heading.  You can also downlowd
> authority records directly from OCLC.  The biggest complaint that I have
> heard about cataloging is:  Each subfield appears on its own row,
> causing a "normal" OCLC record of one or two screens to be spread out
> over 6 or 7 Geac screens (and more if the 040 has a lot of $d
> modifications).  However, both Fresno and Matt Goldner have indicated
> that they have managed to modify their MARC displays so that they appear
> more OCLC-like - with all the subfields appearing in one continuous
> line.  This is a HIGHLY desirable feature (at least for us).
>
> So far, when we do original cataloging, we create the records in OCLC
> and then download them into Geac.
>
> --
> **********************************************
> * Mitch Turitz, Serials Librarian            *
> * San Francisco State University Library     *
> * 1630 Holloway Ave., S.F., CA  94132        *
> * Voice: (415) 338-7883  FAX: (415) 338-6199 *
> * Internet: turitz@sfsu.edu                  *
> **********************************************
>
> As usual, should you or any of your opinions
> be caught or killed, the library will
> disavow any knowledge of your actions.
>