We are using a library automation prduct that came loaded with the ability to download automatically from the Library of Congress or Amazon. Unfortunately, most of the books I've tried to enter so far do not have cataloging at either source. Our library collection is geared to the interests and needs of our general congregation, with few academic-level holdings. Many of these books do not have CIP although they all have an ISBN.
What other sources are useful for downloading cataloging when the books are for the lay person and not academic? Someone recommended Dallas Theological but I think that may still be too academic for our holdings. The automation company said they will write out the script for us if we locate the site(s) we want.
I went back into the past postings but did not find what I needed.
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We actually use LOC call numbers in our library. You don't mention which software you use. We have ResourceMate. It is set as a default to check the LOC, but you can choose from hundreds of different libraries and the system will check some or all of them. I would say we have some 'academic-level' stuff, but most of what we have was found at the LOC (including our fiction stuff). I would check with your software company just to be sure there is not some way to add other libraries to search. We are not very far from Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA -- I have had good luck with their system for stuff in pretty much every category.
In a somewhat similar vein, one of the best helps to me was actually suggested by a LOC librarian when I called them for some assistance. If you have never heard of it, try going to www.worldcat.org (this is basically like an OPAC for libraries from all over the world) In the Everything tab, just type in the ISBN number and hit enter. It should return a list of every participating library that has that same book. Click on one and you should be able to see the entire record for the item. Still check it for accuracy, and it doesn't import, but if you can't find the info anywhere else you should find it there.
We use eZcat which we purchased with our Book Systems software, Concourse. They have a list of libraries from which to choose. The ones I use regularly are Library of Congress, Central Baptist Church, Decatur AL, Alameda County Public Library. I have just noticed Denver Public Schools, so will try that with some new children's books that I have ordered. We have a mixture of LOC, public library, theological, church library (Central Baptist), and now, the public school.
Don't have too many on a list or it might take forever to search. We have an option to create different search lists, so we could create one just for children's books or one just for Bible Study or that type of resources.
I have found that sometimes it is necessary to search in different ways in order to get results. Try searching by just the author or just the title or maybe a series title. I have not found that the ISBN always gets results!
IMPORTANT: I concur with Rita in that there may be errors -- ALWAYS check your current collection to be sure that you are being consistent and that the cataloging information which is imported is consistent with the current Dewey and Sears resources that you use.
I was not aware that Amazon had any cataloging information. Interesting!
We do not import that information, but choose to use the Dewey and Sears we have and do our own. We have found errors in the imports and have decided to stay consistent with our holdings we would do it ourselves.
Rita Kirkland
First Baptist Euless