BTCat is Coming Soon to NHAIS Libraries!
The State Library's contract with Baker & Taylor was approved last week and we have begun working with Baker & Taylor to roll out BTCat, a MARC record source paid for by the NHSL with LSTA funds, for any NHAIS ILL participating library that wishes to use it. Note that you do not need to be purchasing materials from Baker & Taylor to use these cataloging tools.
There are a lot of options and tools available to NH libraries under our contract, so rolling everything out will take a little time. Here is the plan we anticipate following:
Next Week -- NHAIS libraries will be able to set up BTCat as a Z39.50 target in their local system as a source of cataloging records. The configuration details you need to do this will be published on our website (and announced here) once our final configuration testing is complete and you will be able to start downloading records from this source into your local ILS.
We have stopped adding new records to the NHU-PAC database, other than for those libraries that maintain their holdings for the NHAIS ILL System through the union catalog, so records for new materials will be found in BTCat rather than NHU-PAC. The form to request records that you cannot locate is still in place and should continue to be used to let us know what MARC records you need that you are not finding. We are looking at how best to clear the backlog of records that were submitted through the form and will be in touch directly with the libraries that requested records.
September 2025 -- NHSL staff will be working with Baker & Taylor to learn the new system, set up user accounts, and get resources ready to help NH libraries use BTCat in the ways that will best support their individual cataloging workflows.
October 2025 -- A series of virtual meetings will be held to demonstrate what is available to NH libraries through this new contract. The next step will be to begin surveying NHAIS ILL participating libraries to see what options they want to have configured for themselves and begin scheduling training sessions for library staff to learn the nuts-and-bolts of using BTCat in their chosen configuration.
