Most Frequently Asked Questions about joining BIBCO

1. What is BIBCO?

   BIBCO is the bibliographic record component program of the PCC through which participants create cataloging records using mutually agreed upon standards. The hallmark of the BIBCO record is that authorized headings support those access points which call for established forms. For more information see BIBCO program description on the BIBCO homepage

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2. Who can join BIBCO?

   All independent NACO members of the PCC are invited to join BIBCO. If an institution is a member of OCLC, additionally, that institution must have an OCLC National Level Enhance authorization (see also responses 5-6 to Question 3 of this FAQ).

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3. What exactly are the requirements to join BIBCO?

   There is a BIBCO paramenters document posted on the BIBCO Home Page that outlines the requirements but essentially, besides being an active, independent NACO library, the requirements include the following:

   1. New participants are asked to attend a training class (usually 2-3 days) held at their own institution. The training is tailored to each institution's needs and is presented by a regional BIBCO trainer.
   2. Institutions are asked to assume the cost of travel to and from the training site, the expenses for lodging, and the cost of meals for the trainer.
   3. In order that up-to-date information is on file and for administrative purposes institutions are asked to fill in a BIBCO survey form and a BIBCO application/information form.
   4. Commit to a contribute a minimun of 100 new BIBCO records a year. This does not necesarily mean 100 new originally cataloged records; however, it does mean that the records counted as contributed to BIBCO had not been previously coded 042 "PCC" and that at the time of contribution the item met the requirements of an authenticated PCC bibliographic record.
   5. If a library is an OCLC subscriber, it must have Enhance status and it will be necessary to apply for National Level Enhance status.

   • Note: Separate National Level Enhance authorizations are necessary for each non-book format in which contributions are to be made. It is also necessary that NACO independence in non-Roman languages must be achieved before contributing to BIBCO in those additional areas.
   • In the RLG database structure cataloging levels such as Enhance or National Level Enhance do not exist; consequently, there is no such requirement as for OCLC subscribers; however, RLG members must also be active, independent members of NACO in each non-Roman language in which they wish to contribute before joining BIBCO.
   • An independent NACO institution is defined as an institution that is meeting the contribution goals set for their institution and that has satisfactorily completed the quality review period for name authortiy records in all languages in which contributions will be made.

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4. Our library does not contribute series to NACO, is it required to take the series training before joining BIBCO?

   No, it is not necessary to contribute series to NACO in order to join BIBCO; however, it is highly desirable. A library that does not contribute series authority records will not be able to contribute full level bibliographic records containing series which need to be established as traced. It may, however, create a core level record with series coded as untraced (490 0) in the bibliographic record and contribute it as a BIBCO record.

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5. Does a Library have to use LC subject headings or LC classification in order to join BIBCO?

   No, the core record standard(s) defined by the PCC clearly state that a BIBCO record must contain subject headings from a "recognized thesaurus" such as AAT, MeSH, etc. Similarly with classification, it is not necessary to use LC classification in order to create a BIBCO records. For more information on classification numbers click here to read the Policy on classification numbers in BIBCO Records

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6. Do I have to create Core records in order to join BIBCO?

   No, BIBCO libraries may contribute full and/or core records, but not minimal-level records. The true hallmarks of a BIBCO record are a full description and that all assigned access points have corresponding authority records in the national authority file. (See also response to question 7 in this FAQ)

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7. What exactly is a Core Record?

   Ther core record represents a new level of cataloging between minimal- and full-level cataloging. Given the costs of cataloging and the shrinking resources in libraries, the PCC recognized the need for a new cataloging tool and developed the core record standards. These standards set a floor of data elements within a format which must always be included in any core record, yet may also be exceeded, thereby providing institutions with a new level of flexibility in their local cataloging. As described in a report by the Task Group on the Core Bibliographic Record for Audio Visual Materials (but which applies across the board to all formats) PCC core-level records:

   1. Are identifiable (a special code appears in the MARC 21 042 field)
   2. Meet specific requirements (i.e., comply with the official PCC core record standards, standards which require the inclusion of a minimum of key elements of information)
   3. Have all names and series (440/8XX) and LCSH access points under national authority control.
   4. Are dynamic -- the institution which creates the original core record may choose to exceed the core standard, and, other authorized PCC institutions may choose to enrich existing PCC core records (e.g., by adding or expanding notes, adding additional access points, etc.)
   5. Offer individual institutions greater flexibility in tailoring local cataloging practice to local needs and priorities.

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8. Once we have joined BIBCO may we begin to contribute records