Preliminary data record

Preliminary Data records (PDRs), are MARC bibliographic records that have not been fully cataloged by a CCS cataloger. They often contain incomplete bibliographic data, that may later be found to be incorrect. Even if the data is completely accurate, a record is considered preliminary in the local database until a CCS cataloger has reviewed and verified the record with the item in hand, overlaying with an OCLC record if necessary.

PDRs may be entered into the CCS database in one of the following ways:

1. Records are hand-keyed.
2. Records are imported one at a time from OCLC using the Bibliographic Records Find Tool in Polaris.
3. Records are imported from OCLC using Connexion.
4. Records are imported from a vendor.

Libraries are encouraged to include OCLC numbers in PDRs whenever possible.

The 099 field indicates a record is preliminary and still needs cataloging:

099  PRELIMINARY DATA

The 099 field may have VENDOR PRELIMINARY DATA RECORD instead if the record was obtained from a vendor such as Baker & Taylor rather than being hand-keyed or imported from OCLC, but the term "PRELIMINARY DATA" must be included.

Items attached to PDRs can circulate only under the following circumstances:

• The record's 099 field indicates an intent to fully catalog at a later date (e.g. nikmarc 20180417)
• The item is checked out to an in-house user (e.g. Technical Services Supervisor)

See also

Working with preliminary data records