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FAQ

1. What is an FTP site?

FTP stands for file transfer protocol. FTP sites are accessible via web browsers that use the Internet to facilitate the transfer of large amounts of data from one system to another.

2. What will I find on this FTP Site?

On this FTP site you will find files of MARC records. These files are dated and correspond to the shipping lists for shipments of State Publications. The files contain bibliographic records for State Publications in MARC (.mrc) format suitable for import to your local ILS.

3. Where do these records come from?

These records are created through original cataloging by the State Library or other full cataloging libraries. The State Library extracts these new records from our local catalog and makes them available to you for local use.

4. How will I be notified when new files of records become available?

Depository libraries will be notified via automatic email when a new batch of records are available.

5. How do I access these files?

Using Internet Explorer, follow the FTP link to the FTP site. There you will find individual files of MARC records with dates that correspond to the dates state publications are distributed. Copy and paste or drop and drag the file to your local workstation or network.

6. What should I do with these files?

Using your ILS MARC import function, import these records to your catalog. There you can manage these records as you normally do. Because these files include records for all new state publications these files may include records for items you will not add to your collection. For this reason you may wish to open this file using a text editor (wordpad or notepad) and delete those MARC records you do not wish to add.

7. Do these files contain records for every new State Publication?

No. These files only contain MARC records for new publications that require original cataloging. These files do not contain records for serial publications where catalog records already exist. Records for serial publications already exist in WorldCat and the Montana Shared Catalog and can be extracted from these catalogs if necessary.

8. What if I’m a member of the Montana Shared Catalog?

The Montana State Library produces these records in the Montana Shared Catalog. Therefore, MSC members need not import their own records. Simply add your holdings to these records as they appear in the Shared Catalog.


Questions? Please email statepublications@mt.gov or call 444-3016.