In 1986, Northwestern University Library began acquiring videorecordings which would support the university's teaching programs. With the expectation of suddenly receiving six hundred new videos, saving cataloging time became a paramount concern. In light of the desire to continue reducing the existing cataloging backlog, a video cataloging task force conducted an in-depth study to determine what data on the bibliographic record was necessary, and was not. After consultations with staff both in the Catalog Department and the Media Facility, a modified full level cataloging record was agreed to. This paper describes the decision-making process that led to the formulation of a local cataloging policy that continues to meet the needs of the Northwestern community.