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TLC expands MARC records database with EF Sears

INWOOD, W.Va. (June 25, 2009) – The Library Corporation is pleased to announce that it has bolstered its already impressive ITS•MARC^® database with EF Sears^TM, a rich and growing collection of MARC records compiled by EF Library Services LLC.

EF Sears uses Sears subject headings in a database of more than 800,000 records. The cataloging includes exhaustive information that goes well beyond most libraries’ minimum requirements. Summaries are contained in all records cataloged since 1994, and Accelerated Reader and Reading Counts! data are included for appropriate titles.

TLC is offering EF Sears as a premium add-on to ITS•MARC, one of the world’s largest, most current, and authoritative cataloging databases. ITS•MARC is designed to integrate seamlessly with BiblioFile^®, TLC’s cataloging software that harnesses the flow of MARC information and offers powerful data manipulation features, Unicode editing, local database control, label printing, the Cataloger’s Reference Shelf, and more. ITS•MARC is a collection of more than 41 million MARC records from trusted sources including national libraries, professional cataloging services, and contributing libraries.

"The EF Sears database focuses on titles commonly found in school and small public libraries, to provide high hit rates for such facilities", said Doug Storer, TLC’s cataloging product manager. "ITS•MARC delivers more value than ever with the addition of this unique and important database."

"EF Library Services is excited to be part of the data offerings available from TLC," said Karen Folstad, vice president and co-owner of the company that created EF Sears. "I have been a long-time customer of TLC, first using their BiblioFile product in the early 1990s when I was the data entry manager at Winnebago Software Company and, starting in 2006, at EF Library Services using ITS•MARC. TLC has great products and services, and EF Library Services is proud to be a partner with such a reputable company."

EF Library Services was formed by Folstad and Bob Engen in October 2006. On Oct. 1, 2008, it acquired SAVIA Library Services, and the combined firms employ a dozen people in Caledonia, Minn. Three of its employees are catalogers for the EF Sears product, offering nearly a half-century of experience with MARC records. EF Library Services focuses on K-12 and small public libraries, working with them directly or through publishers and distributors. Some of its other product offerings include barcode, spine, and reading program labels, card sets, and pockets.

TLC was founded in 1974 to create support technology for libraries and school districts of all sizes, including some of the busiest libraries in the world. The Inwood, W.Va.-based company has 200 staff members worldwide serving over 5,000 libraries. TLC’s library automation, authority control, cataloging, and online selection and acquisition products also include Library•Solution^®, Library•Solution^® for Schools, CARL•X^TM, and LS2 PAC – all backed by an unparalleled level of customer support and assistance.

For more information on TLC, contact Lisa Prodywus at lprodywus@TLCdelivers.com or 1.800.325.7759, or visit www.TLCdelivers.com or www.itsmarc.com. For more information on EF Library Services, contact Karen Folstad at kfolstad@eflibraryservices.com or 1.800.442.7332, or visit www.eflsdata.com.