Joining the BIBCO Program

BIBCO is the monographic bibliographic record component program of the PCC. Participants create cataloging records using mutually agreed upon standards. The hallmark of the BIBCO record is that authorized headings support those access points which call for established forms.

Membership is open to active independent NACO members. NACO members may request BIBCO membership through their PCC Directory account. Please complete the application form below and upload the form via your PCC Directory account as part of your request for BIBCO membership.

Download the BIBCO application form.

The two categories of BIBCO membership are: Full and Funnel. Inquiries concerning BIBCO eligibility and membership categories are encouraged prior to submission of the BIBCO application form. Please contact the BIBCO Coordinator at: [email protected].

There are no membership fees to join the BIBCO Program.

BIBCO membership is open to institutions who prior to BIBCO training:

• Are active, independent NACO contributors
• Are proficient in creating bibliographic records for monographic and/or integrating resources following RDA, the LC-PCC Policy Statements, and the MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data
• Are proficient in applying established subject and classification systems (e.g., LCSH, MeSH, FAST, LCC, etc.) and using their supporting documentation
• Have access to online bibliographic and authority files, including the Library of Congress name and subject authority files

Once accepted, new BIBCO institutions agree to:

• Name a BIBCO contact to coordinate local program activities, ensure the quality of contributions, report BIBCO statistics, and communicate with the BIBCO Coordinator at the Library of Congress
• Undergo a BIBCO orientation session, either online or at the local institution.  If an instructor travels to conduct any kind of BIBCO training onsite, the institution receiving training covers the travel and accommodation costs.
• Submit records for review after training until independent BIBCO status is reached.
• Meet contribution goals
• Monitor appropriate PCC discussion lists to stay current with program developments
• Support the possible attendance of BIBCO representatives to the PCC Operations Committee meeting (OpCo), which meets annually in the spring in Washington, DC. For more information, see the "Operations Committee" section of the PCC Governance Document [PDF, 388 KB]

Please note: OCLC members must obtain National Level Enhance authorizations from OCLC in order to contribute BIBCO records to WorldCat.