Is it Necessary: Quality Control in Cataloging?

• Main Authors: Muriel D. Nero, Jia He
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chinese American Librarians Association 2018-12-01
• Series: International Journal of Librarianship (IJoL)
• Subjects: cataloging; quality control; technical services; cataloging staff training
• Online Access: https://journal.calaijol.org/index.php/ijol/article/view/96

Catalogers and technical services departments have always struggled with how much is too much when creating and enhancing bibliographic records as well as with what physical processing is needed to make these materials shelf-ready for timely circulation.  Along with these decisions, catalogers also must address what quality control measures, if any, should be in place to guarantee resources are discoverable in the OPAC and discovery service. The authors of this paper describe their process and workflow for the quality control of tangible and electronic resources; they also discuss why quality control is performed. The importance of training cataloging staff on current cataloging rules and practices as a preventive measure to reduce mistakes is an essential part of the process.  The ultimate goal of quality control is to eliminate errors and ensure the library’s resources are accessible.