ABSTRACT
Before libraries can take advantage of automated systems, existing human-readable data must be converted to machine-readable form. The preparation for installation of LCS, an on-line circulation system, at the University of Illinois in Urbana included the conversion of 1,250,000 serial holdings. This paper documents the two-year project, describing the existing paper files and LCS, major decisions made and the rationale for them, as well as the day-to-day operations of the project. Observations and conclusions are included to aid those embarking on similar undertakings.
