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Program for Cooperative Cataloging

The Library of Congress > Cataloging, Acquisitions > PCC > SACO > Joining the SACO Program

Joining the SACO Program

Historically, any institution that participated as an independent contributor to one of the other PCC component programs was automatically considered to be a SACO member. In 2010, SACO became an institution-based program requiring application for membership.

Any institution is eligible to become a SACO member.

What are the program requirements?

  • Submit a completed SACO membership application with an institutional agreement/commitment to an annual numerical contribution goal of 10-12 proposals. This numerical goal includes a combination of new or changed LCSH headings and/or new or changed LC Classification numbers.
  • Participation in a SACO funnel is an option for institutions that may not be able to meet the annual numerical contribution goal.
  • Catalogers at SACO institutions are expected to have access to the web-based subscription service Classification Web, knowledge of the guidelines contained in the Subject Headings Manual (SHM), and familiarity with LCSH and the following tools: Free-Floating Subdivisions, MARC 21 Format for Authority Data, and standard reference sources.

There are no membership fees to join the SACO Program. The only program “costs” are the time and resources expended to assure that the heading proposed is not a duplicate, that the necessary research has been performed and recorded, and that all elements in the proposal form have been filled in correctly. There are complete guidelines on submitting proposals on the SACO website and staff members in the Cooperative Programs Section of the Library of Congress are only an email message away, should questions arise.