A Guide to Special Collections in the OCLC Database

Book excerpt: This guide begins by describing the OCLC database, including ways in which it is used by librarians and library patrons; countries reached by OCLC; programs intended to enrich the database, e.g. retrospective conversion projects; cataloging formats (books, serials, sound recordings, musical scores, audiovisual media, maps, archives and manuscripts, and machine-readable data files); and vignettes of the database (OCLC coverage of Shakespeare and Bach, the top 100 authors and the top 25 composers in the database, and a brief discussion of special collections). An annotated listing of the special collections of OCLC member libraries that are cataloged in the OCLC database is then presented. This list is arranged alphabetically by state, then alphabetically by institution within each state, and a subject index to these entries (which constitute only a fraction of the database) is provided. Four appendixes include lists of languages in the database, Title II-C "Strengthening Research Library Resources Program" projects, and major microforms projects in member libraries. A brief description of the OCLC online union catalog concludes the guide, and a brief questionnaire inviting reader comments and suggestions is attached. (CGD)