The rapid increase in the number of new titles makes it harder and harder for our libraries to keep up their current level of cataloging. To help, we created Keystone’s Cataloging Service options to provide sustainable, high-quality cataloging without the need to hire a full-time cataloger.
Cataloging Service for Talking Book Libraries
The MARC records provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) include numerous tags we use to import information into the catalog automatically. However, it requires staff time and expertise to set up the import to your specifications. Keystone staff also proofs these MARC records as they are made available to catch errors, improve consistency, and ensure a seamless upload to KLAS.
Below is a menu of the options we provide, an explanation of those options, and more information about the work we put in so you don’t have to.
Cataloging Service Options Menu & Pricing
- Basic Cataloging Service: (no series): $250/month*
- Series Updates Service: one-time set-up fee + $200/month ongoing at renewal
- All-in: (Series + Basic): $400 /month*
*Initial set-up charge is needed if subject mapping and series setup are not already in place.
Cataloging Service Options Explained
À la carte Tag Mapping
Marc Tag 072
These are the copy allotment codes NLS uses. Example: MYSTAF is Mystery, Adult Fiction
The 072 codes can be mapped to your Local Subject Headings, meaning that you can use your preferred terminology/wording for the subject heading added to the Title-bib record and used by Reader Advisors.
You have two options:
- We set up the code file, but you update it yourself to map the NLS codes to the appropriate subject codes you currently use. There is no charge for this.
- We set up the mapping, consulting with you as needed to ensure that it is done to your preferences, and apply these codes retroactively to your catalog. This requires 5-hour charge at our current priority customer rate of $200, for a total of $1,000.
Marc Tag 521
These are the Audience Notes and include things like Male Narrator, Contains Strong Language, Commercial Audio, etc. Having these automatically applied helps keep your patrons from receiving inappropriate or unwanted materials.
To set this up and apply them retroactively to your full catalog is a 3-hour charge at our current priority customer rate of $200, for a total of $600.
Basic Cataloging Service
Basic Cataloging Service
As part of the Basic Cataloging Service, we set up and map the 072 and 521 as described above, along with the 082 (the nonfiction call number) and the 655 (Library of Congress genre/form terms).
After reviewing the mapping with you, we update everything and apply it to your catalog. If starting from scratch, this is a 30-hour charge at our priority customer rate of $200, which totals $6,000. If some set-up and mapping is already done, the hourly charge will be reduced accordingly.
In addition, there is an ongoing service charge of $250 per month, applied upon contract renewal, to be sure your cataloging stays up to date. This includes correcting, improving, and importing the MARC records, and merging near-duplicate or excessively granular headings as needed.
Series Updates Service
Series Updates Service
Additionally, we can automatically create series based on the MARC record. If you select this option, we map your existing series to our master list, and run a program to convert your headings. This standardization allows us to accurately catalog and import future series, apply corrections across all subscribed libraries, and prevent conflicts with duplicate Codes and series names (for example, two different authors have a “Cheese Shop Mystery” series).
Your patrons’ Preferences are preserved throughout the process.
If starting from scratch, this is a 20-hour charge at our priority customer rate of $200, which totals $4,000; if some set-up and mapping is already done, the hourly charge will be reduced accordingly.
In addition, there is an ongoing service charge of $200 per month, applied upon contract renewal, to be included in our monthly series updates. This includes making sure that you don’t have any duplicate series, and applying series to those titles which didn’t include series information in the NLS MARC record.
All-in
All-in
If you choose both the Basic Cataloging Service and the Series Updates, the monthly charge is discounted to $400. One time set-up charges are still applied as needed.
If you have questions about what setup your library already has in place, please email or call our customer support team.
