A piece in the September 1984 issue of LSN describing the file loading and merging capabilities of the CLSI, Data Phase, and LS/2000 automated library system prompted an inquiry about Geac's capabilities in this area. The established Geac procedures allow libraries wishing to merge separate bibliographic files into a single bibliographic data base to nominate a hierarchy of selection criteria to be applied to the selection of the record to be retained when the files to be merged contain more than one entry for a single bibliographic item. Applicable criteria include cataloging source and library or branch symbol.
Once the selected procedures are applied, the system retains all of the record that is to be the master record and adds to it the local copy and call number information from the records it is to replace. Other local data such as local subject headings or added entries are not retained.
The merging operation is usually carried out at the library. The tape drive and merging programs used are part of the regular Geac system configuration and, after the initial merge and load, are used to support any required ongoing loading of records from tape. There is a one-time charge of $5,000 for setting up the merger parameters if the files being merged use the MARC format. When the process involves the handling of non-MARC records, there is an additional charge for the necessary custom programming. A spokesperson indicated that this charge rarely exceeds an additional $5,000.
