The following resources may be helpful for LOUIS member institution staff who are brand new to cataloging and MARC records.

Generic Cataloging Resources

The following are not specific to LOUIS-member library systems.

• Web Junction Cataloging courses
  • Free, self-paced courses from the Idaho Commission for Libraries. May refer to technology/systems that your institution doesn't have.
• Library Juice Academy
  • Courses typically are not free, and you choose a Session in which to enroll
• Introduction to Cataloging (54 minutes)
  • From the University of Minnesota, "This introduction to cataloging is designed for novices. Library workers who know the very basics about cataloging and want an update about the state of cataloging today. Perhaps, you learned about cataloging in library school, but haven’t kept up with more recent developments. Or you have been asked to learn copy cataloging at your library. Maybe your cataloger is retiring soon and your library wants to update processes and practices in the upcoming year. This webinar will briefly cover new developments in cataloging and metadata practice. Pointing you towards resources where you can learn more and begin implementing new practices. "
• Copy Cataloging Refresher (19 minutes)
  • New Hampshire Automated Information System overview of the basics of copy cataloging. Not system-specific. 

LOUIS System-specific Cataloging Resources

Cataloging Basics for Electronic Resources Administrators

This article provides a beginner-level overview of MARC records, with LOUIS-specific information.

Symphony Workflows: Cataloging

You will need to login to Mentor, SirsiDynix's training library and learning management platform, to access the following. More information about accessing Mentor is in the Task Portal article SirsiDynix Mentor. Symphony is LOUIS's Integrated Library System, so these guides will be especially helpful for cataloging in your local system. If you're not sure if your library uses Symphony, see the Member Libraries page on our website and find your library's participation profile.

• Symphony Cataloging (including Authority) Training Guides
• Cataloging Basics: Original Cataloging (23 minutes)
• Cataloging Basics: Call Number and Item Maintenance (23 minutes)

LOUIS System Administrator Beginner Course

This certification course for LOUIS institution member staff takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and includes a variety of topics related to Symphony. More information about certifications is on our website.

MarcEdit

MarcEdit 101 (Learning with LOUIS)

• MarcEdit is a free MARC record editing tool that can be used for creating MARC records from scratch, editing vendor-provided Marc records, and much more. LOUIS's Mike Waugh presented this Learning with LOUIS on the basics of MarcEdit, including how to then upload a record to Symphony for use in your local catalog.

LOUIS Cataloging Video Showcase

• Videos related to cataloging from Learning with LOUIS webinars and other professional development opportunities 

OCLC Training

OCLC "provides shared technology services, original research, and community programs for its membership and the library community at large." OCLC produces and maintains WorldCat, a very large online public access catalog. Libraries that subscribe to OCLC services can use WorldCat to find catalog records to copy, and to increase discoverability of their own holdings.

Many LOUIS members subscribe to OCLC services. The following guides are specific to OCLC services and products. OCLC maintains a table differentiating between its different cataloging applications.

OCLC MARC Bibliographic basics

• 6 minute video about what a MARC record is

OCLC Connexion client self-paced training

• OCLC Connexion is a desktop client useful for copy cataloging. From OCLC's website, "This course provides foundational knowledge about OCLC Connexion client software and the copy cataloging workflow. After completing this course, learners will have the foundational knowledge to use Connexion client as a copy cataloging tool and access help tools within Connexion client."

OCLC WorldShare Record Manager

• WorldShare Record Manager is a web-based client that "allows you to create new and enrich existing items in WorldCat with efficient, record-at-a-time metadata management for your physical and electronic materials using either a MARC 21 editor or a Text View editor. Plus, with Record Manager, you can set and delete WorldCat holdings and export bibliographic records."