Requesting a bibliographic* record (so you can add an item to the catalog)
(Click to enlarge!)
Do you need a bib record? (See glossary.) If you are trying to add an item and you can’t find a record that describes it, we can help you. (If you don’t have extensive cataloging training, the language and construction of records can be daunting!)
Here are some simple steps for submitting your request:
- Start an email:
To: support @ superiorlandlibrary . org (send all requests to support!)
Subject: bib records needed
- Write your request:
I need bib records for the following titles:
Cats behaving badly
by Cela Hadden
ISBN*: 9781410451477 (tip: scan number into message with barcode scanner)
319 pages (Use the last page number of the book, not including bonus stuff or author info)
Struggling with cataloging
By Fred Trieshard
ISBN: 978342718937318
Unabridged audiobook, 15 discs
Lighthouses of the UP
By Puzzled (more info at https://www.seriouspuzzles.com)
UPC*: 681131026079 (tip: scan number into message with barcode scanner)
3000 pieces
- That’s it! Go ahead and send the message.
Almost always, having the ISBN or the UPC is enough information. When you scan that number right into your message, I can use copy/paste to find a record or to find enough information online to build a record (barcode scanning and copy/paste = fast with no typos!). Always, I will want some more information about the item—title, author, edition, page numbers– to confirm I have the right thing.
Occasionally, I will respond needing even more information. If your item was produced locally and independently 30 years ago, I might not be able to find anything useful online. I will ask for an image (smartphone photo or scan) of the cover (next to a ruler, if handy) and an image of the copyright information page.
Most of the time, we can easily fill these requests within 1-3 days. If you need your record today, let us know; we will do what we can.
*What is a bibliographic record? Sometimes referred to as title records or MaRC records, bib records describe a single manifestation (or version—largeprint, audiobook, mass market paperback, edition) of a title. These records are shared and searchable throughout our system, the statewide system, and even national and international interlibrary loan systems.
The format is MaRC—short for Machine Readable Cataloging. It’s pretty precise code and may look very confusing the first several times you see one. Understanding where to look in a record for basic information will prepare you to find and import your own records.
*What is an ISBN? ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. Usually, an ISBN refers to a single manifestation (version) of a book, and therefore it’s useful when searching for a book in any shared system. In a bib record, the ISBN lives in the 020 field. Most publishers print a barcode with a scannable ISBN number on the lower right side of a book’s back cover. Books published before 1968 don’t have ISBN’s. (More ISBN information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISBN).
*What is a UPC? UPC stands for Universal Product Code. Most items that aren’t books have a scannable UPC somewhere on their packaging. UPC’s are very useful for finding records for items that aren’t books. In a bib record, the UPC code lives in the 024 field. If you are searching our system, you won’t find a DVD’s UPC code by searching ISBN, but you have a much better chance with a general keyword search, or if you’re importing with the SmartPort wizard, if you search by NUMBER. (More UPC information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Product_Code ).