FAQ

MARC records

Q. My software does not allow 13-digit ISBN's; how do I order MARC records?

A. Medialog will omit 13-digit ISBN's from MARC records upon request. Note "Omit 13 digit ISBNs from MARC records" on you cataloging specification form sent to your bookseller.

Q. Can I download MARC records via an FTP connection?

A. Medialog supports sending MARC records as email attachments, but does not support their distribution via FTP at this time.

Q. Does Medialog support SirsiDynix direct ordering?

A. Medialog is developing support for SirsiDynix direct ordering, and currently projects support for 1st quarter of 2008.

Q. Can my records be submitted to a union database, such as SUNLINK or Access PA?

A. Medialog supports the automatic update of the following databases when requested by the bookseller: Access PA, SUNLINK, Illinet, KLC (Kansas State Catalog), and Heartland AEA ComCat. Note that some of these databases require the bookseller to be approved in some manner.

Q. When will my records be visible in my union database?

A. Medialog submits records to Access PA quarterly (March, June, September, and December), SUNLINK annually (March), Illinet OCLC upon request, KLC Kansas State Catalog upon request, and Heartland AEA ComCat semiannually (July and November).

Q. How does Medialog set my holdings in Illinet?

A. To set holdings in Illinet, holdings must be set in OCLC. To achieve this, Medialog orders a set of records through the OCLC Promptcat system to be delivered to the library. OCLC holdings are set as part of this process. A profile is set up to allow Medialog to order these records. Medialog works with the library and OCLC to set up this profile.

Q. Does Medialog provide 13-digit ISBN's in the MARC records?

A. Yes. Medialog's current policy is to include all ISBNs that are printed on the book, be they 13 digit or 10 digit ISBNs. If a record file includes 13 digit ISBNs, a warning is printed on the paper report and/or email message to confirm your library software can accept 13 digit ISBNs before importing the records. (Medialog will also utilize an option to omit 13 digit ISBNs from record files if requested on the order.)

Q. Can 13 digit ISBN's be omitted from my MARC records?

A. Yes. Medialog will also utilize an option to omit 13 digit ISBNs from record files if requested on the order.

Q. What is the difference between 87 MicroLIF and USMARC 852?

A. Technically, an 87 MicroLIF record file differs from any MARC format record file (USMARC, MARC21, etc.) in the layout of the data (is the field number first or part of the header), the delimiters (special characters used to say a field or subfield begins or ends), and the names used for the files (IBM.FIL or MAC.FIL for 87 MicroLIF verses MICROLIF.001, MARC.001, or MARC.COM for USMARC).

87 MicroLIF is like MARC in the field and subfield numbers used to carry most of the information in the record, but there is one major difference. The holdings information (which refers information about a particular copy of a books, e.g. barcode number, purchase price, call number) is stored in several 900 fields on 87 MicroLIF while it is stored in the 852 or 949 field of a MARC file.

Q. Are MARC 21, USMARC 852, and 91 MicroLIF formats same?

A. Yes.

Q. How do I choose a data format?

A. The library software in use dictates the data format required. Refer to your documentation using terms such as bibliographic record, MARC, MicroLIF, and/or import or cosult with your software manufacturer.

Q. Does my MARC record disk include AR/RC reading program quiz information?

A. Yes. When an AR or RC quiz is available, Medialog includes a 526 MARC field conveying the quiz information.

Q. Does my MARC record disk include AR/RC reading program quizzes?

A. No. The actual quiz is not part of the MARC record disk.

Q. Can AR/RC reading program information be omitted from my MARC records?

A. Yes. Medialog can omit the AR and/or RC data when preparing MARC records if the order requests it.

Barcodes

Q. How do I choose barcode symbology? Can I submit a barcode sample?

A. Please refer to the library automation software specifications when selecting the barcode symbology. We advise contacting the software manufacturer for accurate information. You may also include a barcode sample when submitting your book order to your bookseller.

Cataloging

Q. Does Medialog offer Sears List of Subject Headings (Sears), the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), and Library of Congress Children's Subject Headings (LCCSH)?

A. Yes. Juvenile titles cataloged by Medialog are available with Sears, LCAC and LCSH subject headings. Non-juvenile titles are available with Sears and LCSH headings. When LCAC subjects are requested, Medialog shows LCAC subjects on juvenile titles and LCSH on non-juvenile titles.

Q. Does Medialog offer call numbers utilizing the Dewey Decimal classification system?

A. Yes.

Q. Does Medialog offer call numbers utilizing the Library of Congress classification system?

A. No.

Q. Does Medialog follow AACR2?

A. Yes.

Q. Where do I learn more about MARC?

A. For more information, please visit: http://www.loc.gov/marc/umb/

Support

Q. My MARC disk does not work. How should I proceed?

A. Please report the problem to the customer service department of the bookseller you placed the order with. Medialog's technical support will respond promptly once notified by the bookseller.

Q. I did not receive the email with MARC records. How should I proceed?

A. Please report the problem to the customer service department of the bookseller you placed the order with. Medialog's technical support will respond promptly once notified by the bookseller.

Q. I received damaged goods. How should I proceed?

A. Please report the problem to the customer service department of the bookseller you placed the order with. Medialog's technical support will respond promptly once notified by the bookseller.

Q. How do I import MARC records from a floppy or a compact disk?

A. Please refer to the "MARC Record Import" instructions of the library automation software or contact your software vendor. If you require further technical assistance, please inform the bookseller, and Medialog's technical support team will contact you to get the problem resolved.

Q. How do I import MARC records received via email?

A. A MARC records file named "MICROLIF.001" comes as an attachment to an email. Save "MICROLIF.001" to the Desktop or a disk, and proceed with the "MARC Record Import" in the cataloging module of your library automation software. When specifying the location of the file to the import function, give the location where MICROLIF.001 was saved.

Q. Does Medialog offer multi-platform (Windows, Macintosh, etc.) solutions?

A. Yes. Medialog creates products custom-tailored for the librarian's needs. Please specify the computer type when filling out the form.

FAQ	Main	Cataloging Standards	Products	Librarian FAQ	OCLC Vendors
For The Librarian Contact Us Home Bookseller Login	MARC records Q. My software does not allow 13-digit ISBN's; how do I order MARC records? Q. Can I download MARC records via an FTP connection? Q. Does Medialog support SirsiDynix direct ordering? Q. Can my records be submitted to a union database, such as SUNLINK or Access PA? Q. When will my records be visible in my union database? Q. How does Medialog set my holdings in Illinet? Q. Does Medialog provide 13-digit ISBN's in the MARC records? Q. Can 13 digit ISBN's be omitted from my MARC records? Q. What is the difference between 87 MicroLIF and USMARC 852? Q. Are MARC 21, USMARC 852, and 91 MicroLIF formats same? Q. How do I choose a data format? Q. Does my MARC record disk include AR/RC reading program quiz information? Q. Does my MARC record disk include AR/RC reading program quizzes? Q. Can AR/RC reading program information be omitted from my MARC records? Barcodes Q. How do I choose barcode symbology? Can I submit a barcode sample? Cataloging Q. Does Medialog offer Sears List of Subject Headings (Sears), the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), and Library of Congress Children's Subject Headings (LCCSH)? Q. Does Medialog offer call numbers utilizing the Dewey Decimal classification system? Q. Does Medialog offer call numbers utilizing the Library of Congress classification system? Q. Does Medialog follow AACR2? Q. Where do I learn more about MARC? Support Q. My MARC disk does not work. How should I proceed? Q. I did not receive the email with MARC records. How should I proceed? Q. I received damaged goods. How should I proceed? Q. How do I import MARC records from a floppy or a compact disk? Q. How do I import MARC records received via email? Q. Does Medialog offer multi-platform (Windows, Macintosh, etc.) solutions? MARC records ---------- Q. My software does not allow 13-digit ISBN's; how do I order MARC records? A. Medialog will omit 13-digit ISBN's from MARC records upon request. Note "Omit 13 digit ISBNs from MARC records" on you cataloging specification form sent to your bookseller. ---------- Q. Can I download MARC records via an FTP connection? A. Medialog supports sending MARC records as email attachments, but does not support their distribution via FTP at this time. ---------- Q. Does Medialog support SirsiDynix direct ordering? A. Medialog is developing support for SirsiDynix direct ordering, and currently projects support for 1st quarter of 2008. ---------- Q. Can my records be submitted to a union database, such as SUNLINK or Access PA? A. Medialog supports the automatic update of the following databases when requested by the bookseller: Access PA, SUNLINK, Illinet, KLC (Kansas State Catalog), and Heartland AEA ComCat. Note that some of these databases require the bookseller to be approved in some manner. ---------- Q. When will my records be visible in my union database? A. Medialog submits records to Access PA quarterly (March, June, September, and December), SUNLINK annually (March), Illinet OCLC upon request, KLC Kansas State Catalog upon request, and Heartland AEA ComCat semiannually (July and November). ---------- Q. How does Medialog set my holdings in Illinet? A. To set holdings in Illinet, holdings must be set in OCLC. To achieve this, Medialog orders a set of records through the OCLC Promptcat system to be delivered to the library. OCLC holdings are set as part of this process. A profile is set up to allow Medialog to order these records. Medialog works with the library and OCLC to set up this profile. ---------- Q. Does Medialog provide 13-digit ISBN's in the MARC records? A. Yes. Medialog's current policy is to include all ISBNs that are printed on the book, be they 13 digit or 10 digit ISBNs. If a record file includes 13 digit ISBNs, a warning is printed on the paper report and/or email message to confirm your library software can accept 13 digit ISBNs before importing the records. (Medialog will also utilize an option to omit 13 digit ISBNs from record files if requested on the order.) ---------- Q. Can 13 digit ISBN's be omitted from my MARC records? A. Yes. Medialog will also utilize an option to omit 13 digit ISBNs from record files if requested on the order. ---------- Q. What is the difference between 87 MicroLIF and USMARC 852? A. Technically, an 87 MicroLIF record file differs from any MARC format record file (USMARC, MARC21, etc.) in the layout of the data (is the field number first or part of the header), the delimiters (special characters used to say a field or subfield begins or ends), and the names used for the files (IBM.FIL or MAC.FIL for 87 MicroLIF verses MICROLIF.001, MARC.001, or MARC.COM for USMARC). 87 MicroLIF is like MARC in the field and subfield numbers used to carry most of the information in the record, but there is one major difference. The holdings information (which refers information about a particular copy of a books, e.g. barcode number, purchase price, call number) is stored in several 900 fields on 87 MicroLIF while it is stored in the 852 or 949 field of a MARC file. ---------- Q. Are MARC 21, USMARC 852, and 91 MicroLIF formats same? A. Yes. ---------- Q. How do I choose a data format? A. The library software in use dictates the data format required. Refer to your documentation using terms such as bibliographic record, MARC, MicroLIF, and/or import or cosult with your software manufacturer. ---------- Q. Does my MARC record disk include AR/RC reading program quiz information? A. Yes. When an AR or RC quiz is available, Medialog includes a 526 MARC field conveying the quiz information. ---------- Q. Does my MARC record disk include AR/RC reading program quizzes? A. No. The actual quiz is not part of the MARC record disk. ---------- Q. Can AR/RC reading program information be omitted from my MARC records? A. Yes. Medialog can omit the AR and/or RC data when preparing MARC records if the order requests it. Barcodes ---------- Q. How do I choose barcode symbology? Can I submit a barcode sample? A. Please refer to the library automation software specifications when selecting the barcode symbology. We advise contacting the software manufacturer for accurate information. You may also include a barcode sample when submitting your book order to your bookseller. Cataloging ---------- Q. Does Medialog offer Sears List of Subject Headings (Sears), the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), and Library of Congress Children's Subject Headings (LCCSH)? A. Yes. Juvenile titles cataloged by Medialog are available with Sears, LCAC and LCSH subject headings. Non-juvenile titles are available with Sears and LCSH headings. When LCAC subjects are requested, Medialog shows LCAC subjects on juvenile titles and LCSH on non-juvenile titles. ---------- Q. Does Medialog offer call numbers utilizing the Dewey Decimal classification system? A. Yes. ---------- Q. Does Medialog offer call numbers utilizing the Library of Congress classification system? A. No. ---------- Q. Does Medialog follow AACR2? A. Yes. ---------- Q. Where do I learn more about MARC? A. For more information, please visit: http://www.loc.gov/marc/umb/ Support ---------- Q. My MARC disk does not work. How should I proceed? A. Please report the problem to the customer service department of the bookseller you placed the order with. Medialog's technical support will respond promptly once notified by the bookseller. ---------- Q. I did not receive the email with MARC records. How should I proceed? A. Please report the problem to the customer service department of the bookseller you placed the order with. Medialog's technical support will respond promptly once notified by the bookseller. ---------- Q. I received damaged goods. How should I proceed? A. Please report the problem to the customer service department of the bookseller you placed the order with. Medialog's technical support will respond promptly once notified by the bookseller. ---------- Q. How do I import MARC records from a floppy or a compact disk? A. Please refer to the "MARC Record Import" instructions of the library automation software or contact your software vendor. If you require further technical assistance, please inform the bookseller, and Medialog's technical support team will contact you to get the problem resolved. ---------- Q. How do I import MARC records received via email? A. A MARC records file named "MICROLIF.001" comes as an attachment to an email. Save "MICROLIF.001" to the Desktop or a disk, and proceed with the "MARC Record Import" in the cataloging module of your library automation software. When specifying the location of the file to the import function, give the location where MICROLIF.001 was saved. ---------- Q. Does Medialog offer multi-platform (Windows, Macintosh, etc.) solutions? A. Yes. Medialog creates products custom-tailored for the librarian's needs. Please specify the computer type when filling out the form.