Comparing Cataloging Utilities - OCLC and SkyRiver. Which is the best for your library.

Mobius libraries have four choices to find bibliographic records for their new or old additions to their collections. Your choices are:
1. OCLC
2. SkyRiver
3. Using local/remote records within Mobius
4. Combo of #3 and original cataloging
And since most don’t want to do original cataloging unless they have to, we are left with three viable options. I will place my emphasis on options one and two, OCLC and SkyRiver. Both are good options, but is one better than the other, or…
Some of the things that will be considered are:
1. Availability of DLC records
2. Costs
3. Ease of use
4. Help availability
5. Size of database
6. Searching pre-1900 titles
7. Searching foreign languages
8. Subject matter problems
9. What to consider when selecting a vendor
Some of the things a library must consider are:
1. How many titles are being added annually
2. Are the titles added unique subject matter
3. Size of the cataloging staff, i.e. one dedicated cataloger, part-time cataloger, copy cataloger, etc.
4. How comfortable cataloging is the cataloger
5. How fast do you need new titles in the system and on the shelves, i.e. can you wait until another library adds it to the consortium
No recommendations will be given but I want you present you with some ideas to assist in your decision making.