Vinh-The Lam
(Published in Cataloging & classification quarterly, v. 40, no. 1, 2005, p. 101-122)
ABSTRACT
This study
was conducted to investigate the quality control (QC) issues in cataloging
outsourcing programs implemented in US and Canadian academic libraries. Most libraries provided the outsourcing
vendors with detailed cataloging and/or processing specifications before the
outsourcing programs started. They have
set up QC procedures as an integral part of their outsourcing operations. In most cases, both librarian-catalogers and
senior library assistants/technicians were involved in the QC programs. The error rates reported were low and the majority
of bibliographic records provided by the vendors were either LC/OCLC records or
records compatible with the Core-Level Standard recommended by the Cooperative
Cataloging Council’s Task Group on Standards.
A large majority of these libraries were satisfied with the services
provided by the outsourcing vendors. Based
on the definition of quality of cataloging as a combination of Accuracy,
Consistency, Adequacy of Access Points, and Timeliness, most libraries reported
that the quality of their Library’s cataloging was not affected by the
outsourcing programs.
