Bibliofile is a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) cataloging product that provides LC MARC (Library of Congress Machine Readable Catalog) records. Available databases include English only, foreign language materials, audio-visual materials, as well as several that are more specialized. Bibliofile runs on a PC that may be connected to a network. Advantages of Bibliofile over an online utility include lower cost, no telecommunication problems, no slow response times, fixed subscription rates with no hourly use charges, easy installation, searching and editing, and good phone support. Disadvantages include no member-contributed records and no member holdings to use for interlibrary loan. A library should consider type and level of materials cataloged, existence of an interface with a local OPAC, total cataloging time used, and other sources for ILL searching when considering Bibliofile as a cataloging alternative.
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