Taking advantage of outsourcing options: Using purchased record sets to maximize cataloging effectiveness

Libraries have downloaded records created by other institutions from bibliographic utilities for many years, but purchasing record sets is often a controversial topic in technical services. However, as fewer staff are expected to manage a rapidly growing number of increasingly complex information resources, technical services departments are called upon to identify their core competencies and delegate operations that fall outside those areas to others. This paper examines the costs and benefits associated with the purchase and loading of record sets. It also establishes criteria for determining when record sets should be considered as an alternative to traditional cataloging. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: <getinfo@haworthpressinc.com> Website: <http://www.Haworth Press.com>