Union Lists : Background
What is a Union List?
- A union list is a kind of "meta-list" or "meta-catalog" — it brings together or "unites" all catalogs.
- From union lists you can get a sense of what exists or what is "out there" rather than what is owned by a particular institution.
- Union lists can be in print, or in electronic format.
- While union lists may represent various kinds of collections, this guide will deal primarily with union lists of books and other discrete items collected by libraries (periodical titles, media, scores, maps, etc.)
Primary Uses:
- Because a union list represents what is "out there," it is invaluable for those doing in-depth research.
- The work of any advanced student or scholar not consulting union lists runs the risk of appearing insular to the field at large.
- Union lists allow researchers access to the universe of knowledge in their field, not just what their institutions happen to own.
Limitations:
- While their aim is to be all-inclusive, none of the major union lists is completely comprehensive
- While the majority of materials listed in union lists are potentially available through InterLibrary Loan [ILL], some are not (archival materials, rare materials and, often, media titles), and others may take several weeks or even months to obtain.
- Union lists may often have multiple records for the same physical item. This can be confusing and can also give the illusion that there are more books on a particular subject than there really are.
Major examples:
Online:
In Print:
