Library of Congress

Program for Cooperative Cataloging

The Library of Congress > Cataloging, Acquisitions > PCC > SACO > SACO Funnels > Frequently Asked Questions about Funnel Projects
  1. What is a funnel project?
  2. What are the differences between institutional SACO participation and funnel participation?
  3. Who can start a funnel project?
  4. Are there any SACO funnel projects?
  5. What are the requirements to become a SACO funnel coordinator?
  6. What are the costs involved in implementing/coordinating a funnel project?
  7. What support does the PCC provide to funnel projects?
  8. What training options are available to begin a funnel project?
  9. Do SACO funnel members need to belong to OCLC?
  10. How can my institution join an existing funnel?
  11. May an individual cataloger join an existing funnel?
  12. What are the options if my institution withdraws from a funnel but wishes to continue SACO participation?
  13. What reports does LC provide to SACO libraries?
  1. What is a funnel project?
    A funnel project is a group of libraries (or catalogers from various libraries) that have joined together to contribute subject authority records for inclusion in the Library of Congress Subject Headings. Funnel participants may work in the same subject area, such as the Judaica Subject Funnel Project, or they may be regionally based, like the Hawaii/Pacific Subject Authority Funnel Project. Funnel projects are an efficient means of contribution, where one person or institution coordinates the project. There may be members at all levels of expertise; however, LC deals solely with the coordinator.

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  2. What are the differences between institutional SACO participation and funnel participation?
    Individual institutional SACO partners typically have a requirement to contribute a minimum of 12 new/changed subject authority records per year. Funnels generally consist of libraries contributing at a more modest level.
    Some funnels may be composed of individuals working in a particular language or subject speciality within larger institutions. These parent institutions may or may not be PCC participants. These catalogers have found a community of colleagues beyond the walls of their own institutions in professional organizations or in neighboring libraries and it makes sense to form a coordinated project to receive training and to have their SACO records reviewed by a specialist in a specific language, topic, or format.

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  3. Who can start a funnel project?
    Anyone who has the institutional support to organize, train, and coordinate a group of libraries with common interests to contribute subject authority records to LCSH.

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  4. Are there any SACO funnel projects?
    Yes, at present there are numerous SACO funnel projects.

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  5. What are the requirements to become a SACO funnel project coordinator?
    The requirements are that:
    1. the coordinator must first have attended the basic SACO workshop, or be an experienced SACO contributor;
    2. the coordinator will provide training for its members, although other options are possible;
    3. the coordinator will review the work of the funnel members.

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  6. What are the costs involved in implementing/coordinating a funnel project?
    The inherent costs are the time and effort required to organize and provide review of subject authorities for the funnel members.

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  7. What support does the PCC provide to funnel projects?
    The PCC Secretariat will work with a coordinator to help organize the funnel.

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  8. What training options are available to begin a funnel project?
    SACO funnel coordinators should contact the SACO Program via the SACO email address to discuss SACO training options for its members.

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  9. Do SACO funnel members need to belong to OCLC?
    Currently there is no mechanism for contributions of SACO proposals to LCSH via OCLC.

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  10. How can my institution join an existing funnel?
    Contact the funnel coordinators listed in the existing SACO funnel projects and speak with the coordinator of the funnel you want to join to learn what options are available.

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  11. May an individual cataloger join an existing funnel?
    The PCC does not encourage individual cataloger participation in any of its programs without institutional support; however, funnels can often provide feedback, review, and expert consultation to catalogers in specialized areas more expeditiously than other mechanisms. Catalogers who wish to join a specific funnel should discuss this option with their institutions and the funnel coordinator (see SACO Funnel Projects).

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  12. What are the options if my institution withdraws from a funnel but wishes to continue SACO participation?
    In order to continue to participate in SACO complete the SACO Application Form which is automatically submitted via the Web to the SACO account.
    SACO participation is independent of NACO participation. Institutions may continue to contribute SACO heading proposals on an individual basis by following the guidelines available on the SACO home page.
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  14. What reports does LC provide to SACO libraries?
    Statistics showing the contributions of all institutions in the PCC programs are compiled twice during the LC fiscal year. Midyear statistics cover October 1 to March 30 of the following calendar year. Annual statistics cover October 1 to September 30th of the following year. In addition, monthly SACO contributions are posted online alphabetically by MARC organization code so that libraries can monitor their own contributions throughout the year. Statistical reports are displayed online through the PCC homepage.

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