The input of original records also may be part of your library's contract with the vendor. The more special handling your project requires, the greater the per-record cost will be. Under the Full Vendor Contract, your library controls the project, inasmuch as your specifications are followed. The vendor and the contracting library should select a contact person at each end to handle all details such as shipping cards, scheduling, and problem resolution. This method does not require additional personnel or equipment for the contracting library, nor does it heavily impact existing personnel.
Experienced vendors can provide quality records in a short period of time.
Using a Vendor Database Batch conversion may be most appropriate when your library's collection consists primarily of monographs. With the batch services method, you have several alternatives. If you have existing machine-readable records, your data can be formatted for machine upgrading. This lets your library take advantage of its existing machine-readable data without duplicating the efforts needed to create it. When preexisting machine-readable records are not available, search arguments are created and entered onto diskettes or tape for processing.