Importing Authorities from * LC *

["Ann Kebabian" <akebabian@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Has anyone worked out efficient procedures for importing authority
records from the LC Authorities site (http://authorities.loc.gov/)?
Back in the pre-Voyager days we (briefly) used Z39.50 to save LC
authorities, but the routines for exporting & importing MARC records
from the current setup appear to be extremely cumbersome.  If anyone is
using the LC Authority file effectively in their ongoing work and is
willing to share, we'd be delighted to benefit!

On the other hand, if anyone has tried it and found that workflows and
routines are too complex and time-consuming to be worth the effort, we'd
like to know that.  As far as we can see, each MARC authority has to be
saved as a separate file, rather than appended to an existing file.  If
so each record has to be imported individually -- which would take
forever, and not be cost-effective.

We're looking for a way to keep our authority control in-house, but are
under pressure to cut costs (what else is new??).   

Thanks in advance for any tips, tricks, advice.  --ann

Ann Kebabian
Head of Cataloging
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY 13346
Phone: 315-228-7309
Fax: 315-228-7934
Email: akebabian@xxxxxxxxxx