ETD2MARC: A semiautomated workflow for cataloging electronic theses and dissertations

Abstract

This article describes a semiautomated workflow for cataloging electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs). A perl script is used to query the metadata in an institutional ETD database and create a machine-readable cataloging (MARC) record for each ETD. The MARC records are imported into the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) WorldCat database using the Connexion service, proofread, updated, and exported to the local catalog. Topics discussed are the cataloging decisions that were made prior to the creation of the script, the benefits, and limitations of this workflow, future applications of the workflow, and future opportunities for research.