Retrospective Conversion of UO Libraries Rare Book Card Catalog

About This Grant

A large quantity of unique material at the UO Libraries, particularly early printed books, are accessible only through various manual catalogs which are unavailable to users off-site. The University of Oregon (UO) Libraries holds the largest rare book collection in the Pacific Northwest, consisting of over 175,000 titles, most of which were published before 1900. Of those titles, 27,000 were printed before 1880 and are currently uncataloged and hidden from the public. This project will convert the card catalog for 20,000 of those rarest titles. UO will provide staffing to enhance MARC metadata; upload MARC records into the online catalog; barcode and label titles; shift titles into the physical collection; and provide public outreach through an open house and physical exhibit on rare book discoveries made during the project.