Clean Up Databases Magically
MITINET/marc Software's new data cleanup software, MARC Magician, combines Automatic MARC Record Repair with Active Error Checking in one package. Whether the user needs to clean up their entire automation system database or MARC records received from other sources, this software promises to save users hours of time spent on individual data clean up and editing. The first stage of record clean up is done by the Automatic MARC Record Repair. As records are imported into the program, information is automatically checked for structural accuracy, and any inconsistencies are corrected.
Active Error Checking lets the user define what sorts of errors and omissions should be reported. The program immediately shows whether each imported record meets the user's criteria and what needs to be done to fix it. This feature can help ensure that the MARC data meets the library, district, regional or statewide union catalog standards. The package's global editing function provides 15 commands that make global changes to both bibliographic and holdings data. The user can easily change and update subject headings, change one field to another, fix capitalization, modify holdings information, add or change control field codes, add entire fields, delete fields, and correct records that were cataloged using the wrong format. MITINET/marc Software, Madison, WI, (800) 824-6272, www.mitinet.com.
This article originally appeared in the 08/01/2001 issue of THE Journal.