Cataloging at the Crossroads: Challenging the Only Show in Town

With the acquisition of its last remaining competitor in 2006, OCLC became the only full service bibliographic utility in the U.S. The idea for a new, low-cost, highly functional alternative to OCLC for cataloging arose from a series of conversations with librarians who were interested in having a choice in library cataloging services, removing restrictions on the use of data, and finding a way to reduce costs during tough economic times.

SkyRiver Technology Solutions, launched in 2009, is increasingly seen as a viable alternative to OCLC. Our panel will examine the future for competition in the library cataloging marketplace in light of changing assumptions about library service, new technologies, and unprecedented economic challenges.