Here are some questions you may have about MARS:

Who are you? Do you know anything about libraries?
Backstage Library Works has been serving libraries for nearly twenty years. Formerly known as MARC Link, we changed our name upon merging with our sister company, Access Imagery, in 2003. We have partnered with OCLC on many projects over the past fifteen years, and have worked with MARS as a reseller.

We understand the needs of libraries and have been offering excellent service to academic, public, medical, and special libraries as well as museums all around the world. Our clients include the Stanford University East Asia Library, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Thurgood Marshall Law Library at the University of Maryland, Cambridge University, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London.

Why is OCLC getting out of authority control?
OCLC is streamlining their services. For the benefit of their member libraries, they have asked Backstage Library Works to continue to serve their patrons’ Authority Control needs. They are working closely with us to ensure a smooth transition.

When will the change take effect?
Officially, Backstage Library Works will begin managing the MARS service on October 15, 2004. In reality, little will actually change. We are committed to continue providing the same service you received from OCLC; besides the paperwork, you won’t even notice that MARS has changed hands.

What do I do now?
Expect the MARS authority control service to continue functioning as it has. Our Product Manager, John Reese, or our Authority Control sales person, Dallin Inouye will be contacting you individually to introduce Backstage Library Works. In the meantime, you may contact our company president with any questions. Just call 801-356-1852, and ask for John Merrill.

Will we need to send a new master file?
No. OCLC has provided this information to us directly, so you don’t need to worry about it. We are working closely with OCLC to ensure a seamless transition for all MARS patrons.

Are you going to add features and enhancements?
In the short term, MARS will remain the same. But eventually, we will begin to implement a long list of recommendations that MARS clients like yourself have submitted to OCLC. We are committed to consistently improving the MARS service, and we encourage you to continue submitting feedback.

Will you offer manual review?
Yes. We will continue to offer manual review, just as OCLC has done in the past.

Will the price stay the same?
Yes. Backstage Library Works will honor all existing contracts. We are committed to maintaining everything you like about MARS. That includes the price.

Another vendor offered us a 10% discount. Why should we stay with you?
Why start from scratch? We’re not. We are working closely with OCLC, which is providing us the MARS profile guide and database to ensure a seamless transition. MARS is a perfect fit with the range of services that we have been offering libraries for twenty years. We are certain that you’ll be happy with our ability to serve you.

Our library has specialized requirements. Will they be met?
Every library we work with is unique, so we are accustomed to adapting our services. Everything OCLC did for you, we will continue to do.

What is the deal with your name?
In December 2003, MARC Link became Backstage Library Works, upon merging with sister company Access Imagery. Our new name better reflects the kind of relationships we build with our client libraries. In addition to Authority Control, we offer retrospective conversion, cataloging, bar codes, scanning and digitizing, and other technical services that take place behind the scenes. To librarians we say, “You be the star, we’ll stay Backstage.”

Are you the company with the blinky stars at ALA?
That’s us!

2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

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