Update OCLC Holdings Without Paying Additional Fees: A Patchwork Approach

Accurate OCLC holdings are vital for interlibrary loan transactions. However, over time weeding projects, replacing lost or damaged materials, and human error can leave a library with a catalog that is no longer reflected through OCLC. While OCLC offers reclamation services to bring poorly maintained collections up-to-date, the associated fee may be cost prohibitive for libraries with limited budgets. This article will describe the process used at Austin Peay State University to identify, isolate, and update holdings using OCLC Collection Manager queries, MarcEdit, Excel, and Python. Some portions of this process are completed using basic coding; however, troubleshooting techniques will be included for those with limited previous experience.