Cooperative Cataloging
NWLS and the system’s member libraries follow a cooperative method for cataloging. That means that the separate libraries are responsible for adding and maintaining their own MARC cataloging records. These cataloging records are maintained in a database. For a few libraries, their collection is housed on a separate automation system. For the majority of member libraries, their collections are kept together on a shared database called Merlin.
Merlin Cataloging
Merlin cataloging is performed by three distinct participant groups: full members, partial members, and partial members with stand-alone automation.
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The full participants agree to use Merlin as the cataloging software to maintain their library holdings records. [They also circulate and ILL their materials with Merlin.] They follow national cataloging policy and make decisions governing the Consortium member cataloging policies.
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The partial participants agree to use Merlin as the cataloging software to maintain their library holdings records. [They do not circulate or ILL their materials with Merlin.] They also follow national and local cataloging policy.
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The partial participants on their own stand-alone automation system agree to maintain their own cataloging database and add copies of their new records to Merlin to show current holdings. They also follow national and local cataloging policy.
For experienced and less experienced catalogers, NWLS now provides a six week cataloging web course twice a year.