Network Bulletin No. 98-26
Date: April 17, 1998
Subject: _Union Catalog_
Index term: Electronic form for reporting titles in-process
To help prevent duplication of effort among network
libraries that produce recorded or braille books, NLS will
accept notices of intention from network libraries into the
in-process record (BPHI) file. NLS will use the data to
build very brief records for titles that network libraries
intend to produce but have not yet finished. The purpose of
this program is to allow libraries to search BPHI by author
or title and to find out if a book under consideration for
selection is being taped or brailled elsewhere in the
network.
Network libraries may place in-process titles in BPHI by
filling out a network in-process record and submitting it
electronically over the Internet or by mailing a typed
intention notice. The electronic form is found at:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/bphi.html
To reduce the likelihood of mischievous entry of spurious
forms by persons with no connection to the program, we
provide no 'link' to this form from the NLS homepage.
Therefore, you must call up the form by entering the address
above, which you can then bookmark.
The form includes space for one author, the title, the
format (braille or recorded), and the library holding code
(which is selected from a list on the form). Use the Submit
button on the form to transmit the information to NLS.
These intention forms will be added to the BPHI file within
one week together with a note explaining that the book may
not be completed yet. Libraries submitting typed notices
via mail should include the same information: author, title,
format, and holding code. The typed notices should be sent
to the attention of the Network Services Section, TIP,
NLS/BPH, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, 20542.
Due to the volume, intention records for network-produced
books will not be removed from BPHI when the books are
completed. Instead NLS will list each record for two years
and then automatically delete it.
To list produced books in the Union Catalog (BPHP),
libraries should continue to inform NLS when books are
completed by sending either the Union Catalog Completion
Notice (Form 73-128) along with the Supplement to the Union
Catalog Completion Notice or the Network Library Reporting
Form. Section 8.8.3 of the _Network Library Manual_ covers
the use of these forms and includes copies of the latter
two. NLS is studying the creation of an electronic form for
submitting completion notices via the Internet in the
future.
For additional information please contact:
Robert Axtell
Head, Bibliographic
Control Section
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