Cataloging - Original Cataloging Record Assistance
The Montana Shared Catalog is able to create original bibliographic records for a limited number of items when no record exists in the OCLC database. To submit an original cataloging request, please follow these steps:
- Confirm that there is no record for your item in OCLC before submitting your ticket. If there is a partial or problematic record please let us know when you submit the ticket and include the OCLC record number.
- Create an MSC Help Desk Ticket. Choose "Cataloging" from the Category list and "Original Cataloging" from the subcategory list.
- Include the following information about your item (if the item is not a book some of these may not apply):
- Is the item a book or some other format? Please note that the MSC may not be able to catalog all item formats.
- If it is a book or other print material, is it large print? If you are not sure, please provide an example page.
- How many numbered pages are there? Please provide the total numbered pages, including both Arabic (0-9) and Roman Numerals (I, V, X, etc.). There is no need to count the pages if they are not numbered
- Attach an image of the front (photograph or scan).
- Attach an image of the back (photograph or scan).
- Attach an image of the title page, if one exists (photograph or scan).
- Attach an image of the title verso--the page to the left of the title page (photograph or scan). Click here to see more about title verso pages. If the copyright or similar information is found somewhere else on the item please send an image. For example, travel guides and children's books sometimes put the copyright information at the back of the book.
- Attach an image of the table of contents, if there is one (photograph or scan).
- Does the item have maps? Yes or No
- Does the item have illustrative content? Yes or No
- Does the item have an index? Yes or No
- How tall is the item in centimeters?
- Provide any additional special information about the material.
Please only send one item per ticket.
The Montana Shared Catalog team will catalog the material in OCLC so that your library can import it in using SmartPort. This will also allow other libraries that have the material to add it to their collections, and will facilitate ILL where needed.
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