The Center for Research Libraries (CRL) is launching a pilot project to explore a new data model for cooperative cataloging, grounded in matching theory. This approach focuses on creating chains or cycles of cataloging exchanges, rather than traditional one-to-one matches, with the goal of fostering more efficient and scalable collaboration across institutions.

We are currently seeking participants willing to share information about:

• Your institution's cataloging needs and priorities
• Existing cataloger capacity and areas of expertise
• Participation at this stage involves only providing data for modeling purposes—it does not commit your institution or staff to join a future cooperative cataloging program. The data will help us test the viability and structure of potential collaborative frameworks.

If you are interested in contributing to this modeling phase, please complete the survey at this link. We will close the survey on June 15, 2025.

If you are interested in reading a draft thought piece on this approach to cooperative cataloging and the project, you can access the document here: Multi-institutional cataloging exchange conceptualization.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to help shape innovative approaches to cooperative cataloging.