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Paper: Re-cataloging Joint Astronomy Centre (JAC) Library Book Collection
Volume: 377, Library and Information Services in Astronomy V: Common Challenges, Uncommon Solutions
Page: 245
Authors: Lucas, A.; Zhang, X.
Abstract: The Joint Astronomy Centre operates two telescopes: the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope and the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope. In the JAC's 25-year history, their library was maintained by a number of staff ranging from scientists to student assistants. This resulted in an inconsistent and incomplete catalog as well as a mixture of typed, hand written, and inaccurate call number labels. Further complicating the situation was a backlog of un-cataloged books. In the process of improving the library system, it became obvious that the entire book collection needed to be re-cataloged and re-labeled.

Readerware proved to be an inexpensive and efficient tool for this project. The software allows for the scanning of barcodes or the manual input of ISBNs, LCCNs and UPCs. It then retrieves the cataloging records from a number of pre-selected websites. The merged information is then stored in a database that can be manipulated to perform tasks such as printing call number labels. Readerware is also ideal for copy cataloging and has become an indispensable tool in maintaining the JAC's collection of books.

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