MassCat is a joint project of five Massachusetts regional library systems -- Northeast, Central, Metrowest, Southeastern, and Western.  

MassCat is currently undergoing major changes to its system and member policies.  Masscat will be implementing a new full-featured Koha-based open-source ILS in the summer of 2008.

If you are interested in more information or possibly joining, please call 978-762-4433 or email Scott Kehoe or Greg Pronevitz.

What is MassCat?

MassCat is a joint project of five Massachusetts regional library systems -- Northeast, Central, Metrowest, Southeastern, and Western.  The project is designed to enhance resource sharing in the state by providing enhanced access and features to libraries that are not part of automated networks, e.g., MVLC and NOBLE.

We have contracted with Auto-Graphics and they are hosting the Impact Online system for us at their California headquarters.  Processing and access will take place over the Internet. 
The URL to link to the live system is http://www.masscat.org

System Features:

Web-based union catalog of full MARC bibliographic records with participant-library holdings.
MARC upload and download for participants.  Participants with local online catalogs, e.g., Follet, can use the MassCat database to provide copy cataloging for their system.  When a participant cannot find a record in MassCat, other sources of cataloging data will be available, e.g., OCLC and original cataloging services.

Interlibrary loan functionality, i.e., request an ILL and respond to requests.
Compatibility with the proposed  statewide virtual catalog and ILL system.  MassCat will be state-of-the art in adherence to relevant standards, i.e., MARC, Z39.50, and ISO ILL standards, allowing participation in the statewide system that will allow multi-catalog searching and ILL requests.

MassCat is not a circulation system.  While our vendor has plans to make this option available the MassCat Executive Committee has not made the decision to pursue this option.

What will I see in MassCat?

You will find MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging)  bibliographic records for books and other items in the collections of NMRLS libraries (and members of other regions) along with identification of holding libraries.

How can I access items I find in MassCat?

Circulating items will be available via interlibrary loan.  Non-circulating items will be available at the holding library.  Lending and access policies will be announced.
 

Will all NMRLS libraries have their holdings in MassCat?

No, MassCat will host collections of mainly school libraries and special libraries in this region.
We are encouraging public libraries and academic libraries to join automated networks, i.e., MVLC and NOBLE.  These networks provide added functionality to members and allow like libraries to be treated similarly. 

How can my library participate in MassCat?

If your library has machine-readable records, NMRLS can work with you to have them loaded into the MassCat.  If you have only card or paper files, NMRLS can work with you to have them converted to machine-readable form and loaded.

For new materials, your library can simply add a holdings symbol to an existing record to indicate ownership.  If a record is not available, a system will be set up to obtain one for you.

Will my library have to loan out materials?

In many cases, yes.  Participation in the statewide MassCat requires libraries to loan items from their circulating collections upon request from other member libraries of Massachusetts regional library system.  However, you will not be required to loan “rare” or other parts of your non-circulating collection.  The purpose of this project is to enhance resource sharing.
 

What does my library gain from participation in MassCat?

Participation in regional and statewide resource sharing which enhances library services in Massachusetts and furthers the strategic direction of the Commonwealth and the Region.  This cooperative effort will encourage all kinds of libraries to make available their collections to other members.

NMRLS is planning to provide ongoing access to machine-readable records for new materials acquired by participating libraries which could save you cataloging efforts in the future.  If you already have a local system, you should be able to download records for local use.
 

Which libraries should consider MassCat membership?

We are encouraging school and special libraries to consider membership.  We are seeking libraries that can benefit from the functionality mentioned above and are excited about the possibilities for resource sharing.