Examining the quality of National Library of Malaysia (NLM) cataloguing in publication (CIP) records

Abstract

Purpose

This study attempts to compare the National Library of Malaysia (NLM)'s cataloguing in publication (CIP) records with their permanent records in the NLM's online public access catalogue (OPAC) database.

Design/methodology/approach

The study compares the description of records in the NLM CIP versus NLM OPAC in terms of similarities and differences in the bibliographic elements for each record. The study selected the NLM's CIP records from January to April 2000, allowing more than 5 years for publishers to publish the registered CIP titles and also the NLM to make the records available in their OPAC database.

Findings

The findings indicate that libraries that use NLM's CIP records in their copy cataloguing activity should not rely 100 per cent on the records. Verifications and modifications need to be carried out to ensure accuracy and quality of their catalogue records.

Research limitations/implications

That Malaysian experience confirms research carried out previously elsewhere.

Practical implications

The findings of the study are significant in terms of giving data about whether NLM's CIP records are trustworthy sources for the practical task of copy cataloguing or not.

Originality/value

Although comparison studies of the accuracy and consistency of CIP records versus OPAC records are commonplace, having been conducted extensively since the 1980s in a variety of contexts, such a comparison study of CIP records versus OPAC records has never been conducted in Malaysia. With the increased usage of web‐based OPACs as one source option for copy cataloguing, it is imperative to ensure the records copied are consistent and accurate to avoid post‐alteration of the bibliographic description.

Citation

Abd Manaf, Z. and Abdul Rahman, R. (2006), "Examining the quality of National Library of Malaysia (NLM) cataloguing in publication (CIP) records", Library Review, Vol. 55 No. 6, pp. 363-373. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530610674776