You can find cataloging vendors through three major sources: 1) Book Wholesalers or Prebinders
Book and audiovisual wholesalers that offer cataloging and/or processing for materials purchased from them
Some may offer these services for materials that they sell, but you may not have bought from them
2) Cataloging Service or Software Vendors
Online or CD
Some can download MARC records
3) Bibliographic Utilities
Example: OCLC
Not-for-profit
Usually require the buyer to sign a membership
Can be arranged through local and regional library networks
When choosing a vendor it is important that the library collection be taken into account in order to pick the one that will be most suited for the materials.
Other things that may have to be considered when choosing a vendor, especially if they will be doing the processiong and cataloging of materials that are purchased, instead of the librarian include:
Call Numbers
Subject Headings
Reading Programs
Physical Processing
After a vendor is chosen it is helpful to keep up a good relationship with the company. Librarians should be aware of a number of things when doing this:
If more than one vendor is chosen, make sure that they are all told of the special specifications that are needed and that they are all on the same page in order to avoid descrepancies.
Once all materials arrive form the vendor, check that everything is error-free and fitting to the specifications for your library.
Check in with the vendor frequently, making sure that you are informed of any changes in management or cataloging practices, or any other change that might alter the catalog in any way.
Be prompt in all matter concerning the vendor, such as notifying them of a change in your collection, or paying the bills in a timely manner.