Surpass Copycat is an easy to use, money-saving cataloging tool for downloading free MARC records with no annual database subscription needed. With new pricing especially for districts with centralized cataloging, districts pay a single flat price for Copycat and can freely catalog unlimited items for all district or system libraries. Surpass Copycat can be used with any library automation system.

Pricing starts at $1,195 for districts with 10 to 19 libraries. Annual support starts at $180. A full price schedule is available at www.SurpassSoftware.com. Districts with more than one central cataloging person can purchase workstation licenses for the central cataloging locations at $120 each, just as with other Surpass products. Libraries in the district that wish to do their own cataloging simply purchase their own copy of the software at the regular price of $450.

Surpass Copycat is essential for librarians and media specialists who:

• regularly catalog new and donated books
• are cataloging a new collection
• are converting a catalog from a non-MARC database
• need to update brief MARC records to full MARC records

Copycat uses the z39.50 protocol to allow users to search for records either individually, or in a batch-mode called “multi-search” by simply loading in an ISBN list for automatic retrospective conversion. Multi-search allows the search list to be entered by hand, loaded from a text file, or loaded from a MARC record file.

Copycat also simplifies the process by allowing users to scan the EAN barcode found on the back of many books and automatically converts it to the ISBN for searching. Surpass Copycat allows multiple libraries to be selected for searching and will automatically select the most complete record when matching records are found at multiple libraries.

It's easy to find records, add local holdings information, and import into your automated catalog. A bookbag holds selected records while you work. When you've finished, save your bookbag to a single MARC file to be imported into any MARC-based automation system or send the records directly into Surpass Central.

A 30-day evaluation version of Surpass Copycat is available for download from SurpassSoftware.com. Surpass Copycat is produced by Surpass Software. Visit www.SurpassSoftware.com for information on centralization, small library automation, and other library automation products and services. Or call or toll free 877.625.2657.