Discusses the reasons and methods for retrospective conversion of library catalog data into machine-readable form. The need for standards is emphasized and suggestions are given for documenting local standards. Ideas are included for completing the conversion of a project done by a vendor, where some parts may have been overlooked. (Author/EM)

This Systems and Procedures Evaluation Center (SPEC) kit is based on information and documents submitted by 15 Association of Research Library (ARL) member libraries in response to an August 1986 questionnaire mailed to 19 ARL libraries selected on the basis of their size, level of automation, and organizational structure of copy cataloging. A…