MARC record can look intimidating however, they are not all of that complicated. MARC is just a file format standard that allows the recording of bibliographic data. Anyone can learn MARC and there are a number of very good open source programs that can be used to create a MARC record. There is no reason to pay for these services if you are able to download and install the proper software. For example the Koha ILS open source program has a feature where you type in bibliographic data such author, title, subject, etc into a form hit a button and it will create a valid MARC record for you. Once the MARC record is created you can then use Koha to display the MARC records through its built in Z39.50 search feature. (Z39.50 is a search feature that allows anyone to search, access and download MARC records from any libraries ILS software.)
I am a library director and I have used OCLC in my career. Your statements have a number of errors in them. OCLC is a user generated database. It is also a Union Catalog of all the libraries who use OCLC. It is also a means of sharing materials by using the Union Catalog for Inter Library Loans. If a library needs a MARC record (a digital bibliographic record in a very specific electronic format) it goes to OCLC to see if anyone else has that record. If no one has the record then the library creates the MARC record using common cataloging standards such as LC subject headings and Dewey Decimal Classification. Once the record is saved any other library can then use it for its own catloging. OCLC stores the record, keeps track of who owns the material. Libraries pay a geat deal of money for these services. Now OCLC is saying that this information which was not developed by them is there property and cannot be used without their permission.
First of all I am a librarian, and we have lots of experience in this. The ideal solution is a machine from a company called Kirtas Technologies (kirtas.com). It consists of two digital cameras, three computers a robotic arm and an air compressor. The device is really slick. The book sits in a cradle with the book open to about 60 degrees, the two cameras are mounted at the same angle and photograph the even and odd page respectively. An air compressor fluffs the pages and a robotic arm turns the pages. It takes about five seconds every two pages or so. These are load and supervise machines no hand turning is needed once the process starts. Two computer records the image (one even the other odd) and then a third computer converts the images into OCR's and then knits everything into the proper order. Google uses similar devices for their book scanning project. The advantages are that it preserves the books, is relatively quick and has a low labor cost. The downside, of course is these babies cost alot. However, by looking at the pictures you could design a simpler manual rig that uses two digital cameras with the pages being turned by hand. Should be quicker than scanning them. Kirtas Technology also scans books and magazines for a fee this may be another solution to look into.
As a professional librarian some of the analysis of the classification systems was not correct. First of all when you catalog a material you need to classify the material (classification schemes include LC, Dewey, etc) and select subject headings (the two most popular ones are Sears and LC subject headings). Even though classification and subject headings both have LC categories these are two separate systems and each has there own books and rules.
The Dewey Decimal System number is printed in most books on the back of the title page. It is usually listed under the initials CIP which means cataloging in print. The number will look something like this 000.00 '00 '00 '0000. For home use you only need to use the numbers up to the first the ' . The full dewey number is meant to be used for very large libraries collections of a half million or more. For those books that don't have Dewey numbers you can easily assign Dewey numbers by using the first volume of the Dewey classification series, which is usually available at you local public library. The subject headings are also available in CIP usually with the words/letters Sears: or LC: .
The author did not explain how he was attaching the call number to the book. You could do this easily by putting an index card in the book with the proper call number.
As for software there is now a readily available open source program called Koha. This program has a built in Z39.50 search engine which allows you to scan in the ISBN number and search libraries that have similar books. You can then select the Machine Readable Record (MARC) which contains the call number subject headings and the bibliographic information. Since Koha is open source it is free, and quite versatile. Many small church and school libraries use Koha, along with the library I work for.
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MARC record can look intimidating however, they are not all of that complicated. MARC is just a file format standard that allows the recording of bibliographic data. Anyone can learn MARC and there are a number of very good open source programs that can be used to create a MARC record. There is no reason to pay for these services if you are able to download and install the proper software. For example the Koha ILS open source program has a feature where you type in bibliographic data such author, title, subject, etc into a form hit a button and it will create a valid MARC record for you. Once the MARC record is created you can then use Koha to display the MARC records through its built in Z39.50 search feature. (Z39.50 is a search feature that allows anyone to search, access and download MARC records from any libraries ILS software.)
I am a library director and I have used OCLC in my career. Your statements have a number of errors in them. OCLC is a user generated database. It is also a Union Catalog of all the libraries who use OCLC. It is also a means of sharing materials by using the Union Catalog for Inter Library Loans. If a library needs a MARC record (a digital bibliographic record in a very specific electronic format) it goes to OCLC to see if anyone else has that record. If no one has the record then the library creates the MARC record using common cataloging standards such as LC subject headings and Dewey Decimal Classification. Once the record is saved any other library can then use it for its own catloging. OCLC stores the record, keeps track of who owns the material. Libraries pay a geat deal of money for these services. Now OCLC is saying that this information which was not developed by them is there property and cannot be used without their permission.
First of all I am a librarian, and we have lots of experience in this. The ideal solution is a machine from a company called Kirtas Technologies (kirtas.com). It consists of two digital cameras, three computers a robotic arm and an air compressor. The device is really slick. The book sits in a cradle with the book open to about 60 degrees, the two cameras are mounted at the same angle and photograph the even and odd page respectively. An air compressor fluffs the pages and a robotic arm turns the pages. It takes about five seconds every two pages or so. These are load and supervise machines no hand turning is needed once the process starts. Two computer records the image (one even the other odd) and then a third computer converts the images into OCR's and then knits everything into the proper order. Google uses similar devices for their book scanning project. The advantages are that it preserves the books, is relatively quick and has a low labor cost. The downside, of course is these babies cost alot. However, by looking at the pictures you could design a simpler manual rig that uses two digital cameras with the pages being turned by hand. Should be quicker than scanning them. Kirtas Technology also scans books and magazines for a fee this may be another solution to look into.
As a professional librarian some of the analysis of the classification systems was not correct. First of all when you catalog a material you need to classify the material (classification schemes include LC, Dewey, etc) and select subject headings (the two most popular ones are Sears and LC subject headings). Even though classification and subject headings both have LC categories these are two separate systems and each has there own books and rules. The Dewey Decimal System number is printed in most books on the back of the title page. It is usually listed under the initials CIP which means cataloging in print. The number will look something like this 000.00 '00 '00 '0000. For home use you only need to use the numbers up to the first the ' . The full dewey number is meant to be used for very large libraries collections of a half million or more. For those books that don't have Dewey numbers you can easily assign Dewey numbers by using the first volume of the Dewey classification series, which is usually available at you local public library. The subject headings are also available in CIP usually with the words/letters Sears: or LC: . The author did not explain how he was attaching the call number to the book. You could do this easily by putting an index card in the book with the proper call number. As for software there is now a readily available open source program called Koha. This program has a built in Z39.50 search engine which allows you to scan in the ISBN number and search libraries that have similar books. You can then select the Machine Readable Record (MARC) which contains the call number subject headings and the bibliographic information. Since Koha is open source it is free, and quite versatile. Many small church and school libraries use Koha, along with the library I work for.