1. 1 Retrospective cataloguing, or, The forgotten projects The need for a national strategy

2. 2 Retro challenges Perceptions Perceptions Reluctance and disinterest Reluctance and disinterest Missed opportunities Missed opportunities How much work had been done and why had it stopped? How much work had been done and why had it stopped?

3. 3 The past. 1 Early 1990s, unknown mass Early 1990s, unknown mass 1994-1995 FIGIT study 1994-1995 FIGIT study 1996-1997 BLRIC study 1996-1997 BLRIC study 1997 Making the most of our libraries 1997 Making the most of our libraries 548 libraries responded 548 libraries responded 50 million records awaiting retroconversion 50 million records awaiting retroconversion calls for a national programme calls for a national programme 5 year target 5 year target Nominates the LIC Nominates the LIC

4. 4 The past. 2 1998 BL convenes a Pathfinding Group and funds a study. 1998 BL convenes a Pathfinding Group and funds a study. 1999 Full Disclosure 1999 Full Disclosure Supports national programme Supports national programme 10 years to complete 80% of the work 10 years to complete 80% of the work Nominates the new MLA Nominates the new MLA 1999-2002 RSLP 1999-2002 RSLP £30 million for projects including retro £30 million for projects including retro 48 HEIs, 68% of these used the funds for retro work 48 HEIs, 68% of these used the funds for retro work 2000-2012? MLA 2000-2012? MLA 2003-2007 Britain in Print 2003-2007 Britain in Print Pre 1700s British printed books Pre 1700s British printed books

5. 5 The past. 3 2004 CURL survey following end of RSLP 2004 CURL survey following end of RSLP Participants used RSLP funds Participants used RSLP funds 14 million items 14 million items prepare the ground for future funding bids prepare the ground for future funding bids 2006-2009 Copac Challenge Fund 2006-2009 Copac Challenge Fund Free or low cost access to CURL database Free or low cost access to CURL database 2007 RIN study 2007 RIN study 95 libraries responded (23% from HE) 95 libraries responded (23% from HE) 200 researchers responded 200 researchers responded 50% of research collections still hidden 50% of research collections still hidden Repeats call for a national strategy Repeats call for a national strategy

6. 6 The present. 1 New Years resolution New Years resolution Merged discussion list retro@jiscmail.ac.uk Merged discussion list retro@jiscmail.ac.uk retro@jiscmail.ac.uk Proposed a new survey Proposed a new survey Joining forces with RLUK Joining forces with RLUK Survey launch July with help from MIMAS http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/322159/R LUK-Retrospective-Cataloguing-Survey-in- association-with-the-London-Library Survey launch July with help from MIMAS http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/322159/R LUK-Retrospective-Cataloguing-Survey-in- association-with-the-London-Library http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/322159/R LUK-Retrospective-Cataloguing-Survey-in- association-with-the-London-Library http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/322159/R LUK-Retrospective-Cataloguing-Survey-in- association-with-the-London-Library

7. 7 The present. 2 75 libraries responded (39% from HE) 75 libraries responded (39% from HE) 15% not visible online at all 15% not visible online at all 10.6 million items outstanding – 14% 10.6 million items outstanding – 14% 1.2 million items requiring record enhancement 1.2 million items requiring record enhancement Most items from 16 th to 20 th century Most items from 16 th to 20 th century Much of the backlog can be termed special collections Much of the backlog can be termed special collections Non-book formats less likely to be catalogued at all Non-book formats less likely to be catalogued at all

8. 8 The present. 3 55% have ongoing projects – of these 7 libraries plan to end in 2020 55% have ongoing projects – of these 7 libraries plan to end in 2020 16% plan to start in the next 2 years 16% plan to start in the next 2 years 12% have no immediate plans 12% have no immediate plans 10% have completed projects 10% have completed projects 7% have halted because of lack of funds 7% have halted because of lack of funds 46% of these have no immediate plans to resume work 46% of these have no immediate plans to resume work

9. 9 The future. 1 Now what? Now what? MLA? MLA? Desired outcomes of respondents Desired outcomes of respondents Funding, awareness, visibility, collaborative working, national strategy Funding, awareness, visibility, collaborative working, national strategy Other comments Other comments Funding, security, practical help, digitisation, value of historical colls., visibility, etc. Funding, security, practical help, digitisation, value of historical colls., visibility, etc.

10. 10 The future. 2 Online National Register Online National Register 90% survey respondents in favour 90% survey respondents in favour Full Disclosure prioritisation matrix Full Disclosure prioritisation matrix RIN good practice guide RIN good practice guide

11. 11 Dunia García-Ontiveros Head of Retrospective Cataloguing The London Library dunia.garcia-ontiveros@londonlibrary.co.uk dunia.garcia-ontiveros@londonlibrary.co.uk