Sorry for any duplication.

I am the Periodicals Copy Cataloger at the University at Albany Libraries, State University of New York. About 98% of my job is devoted to providing online access to periodicals.

Over the last year or so, I have noticed that, when I search OCLC for a bibliographic record for a periodical with a scientific scope, I usually find excellent records, which require little, if any, editing. On the other hand, when I search OCLC for records for periodicals with a business scope, the records I find are usually of poor quality, if I find any at all, that is! I end up having to do a lot of original cataloging for business periodicals.

I have been trying to determine why this is so. A search of the literature was frustrating, to say the least.

If anyone has any clues, ideas, etc., I would be most grateful. If I get enough information, I may write an article.

Thanks in advance.

Carol

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Carol H.  Jewell,

Cataloging Services

University Libraries,

University at Albany, State University of New York