Re: Data Clean-Up Advice

[Kyle Banerjee <kyle dot banerjee at state dot or dot us>]

> Our library is migrating to Millennium as an integrated system.  We have 
> had INNOPAC (for acq/ser/fin) and DRA for the OPAC and Circulation.  My 
> question relates to the pros and cons of cleaning up data prior to or 
> after migration.  For example, we are trying to provide matchpoints for 
> our serials records and our cataloged monographic records by adding the 
> OCLC number to the INNOPAC database.  My boss is questioning the value 
> of this effort....

	III has some powerful utilities that can help you with a variety of 
database messes, so there's nothing wrong with waiting until after the 
migration to take care of some problems. However, you should purposely 
choose not to fix things only when you understand the problem and the 
solution -- don't just migrate and see what happens.

	Leaving all cleanup until after the migration is like driving a car 
with a blown head gasket to the shop. A lot of people do it, but it's 
not a good idea because you'll probably do a lot more (expensive) damage 
that could have easily been avoided.

	Right now, you basically are in a position where you have data 
anomalies in a system that you and your staff know well. Some of those 
anomalies may be built around features that are peculiar to your 
existing system. The last thing you need are massive cleanup headaches 
in a system you and your staff still haven't figured out.

	I think talking to staff so that you're aware of irregular practices up 
front as you planned will save you a lot of grief. Once you know what 
you're up against, you can figure out the best way to proceed.

kyle
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Kyle Banerjee
Oregon State Library
250 Winter ST
Salem, OR 97301-3950
(503)378-4243 ext. 260
kyle dot banerjee at state dot or dot us