I too replied off list to Jane, but we also consider authority control
very important in helping our users retrieve materials, so here is
another summary to add into the current discussion.
I'm working at LSE, where we do maintain authority control. We check
all records for name, corporate name, subject and series authorities.
Our library management system allows us to do an authority check on each
record when we save it to the system, and if we find a heading that is
not validating, then we import it from the Library of Congress.
In the past there have been varying ways of dealing with authority
control, including creating records in-house where none were available
from the Library of Congress. Over many years a number of duplicate and
incorrect headings had built up, and so we have recently had our
catalogue cleaned by an external company and are currently working
through outstanding reports from them in terms of tidying up
non-existent / duplicated authorities.
We are now making sure that our authority file is in line with LC
headings and in order to maintain consistently high standards we are
using a service offered by the company that did our data clean whereby
newly added records are sent to them monthly for checking. Our team
still check authorities at the point of adding a record to the catalogue
as possible queries are much easier to sort out with the item in hand.
By sending the new records to the external company they are able to add
them to the backfile they hold of our records which means that if
authority records are changed by the LC they can alert us to the need to
change our catalogue accordingly.
Helen Williams
Assistant Librarian, Bibliographic Services
Library
The London School of Economics and Political Science
10 Portugal Street
London WC2A 2HD
[log in to unmask]
020 7955 7234
-----Original Message-----
From: Bibliographic standards in UK libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Andrew Coburn SLBS LY LS
Sent: 18 June 2008 17:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Authority Indexes
I replied off list to Jane but I said:
We are a public library so our experience is probably different but for
what it is worth: We do try and keep our headings controlled. We import
as many records as possible from BDZ (The Z39.50 service from BDS) and
they use the same standard as the BL and therefore the LoC. If we create
records from scratch we try to ensure that we use the same form of name.
I need a new example but am currently still quoting a County Librarian
from about 15 or 20 years ago who came in after visiting a branch and
using the OPAC to ask why we only had three books by Fay Weldon. Answer
- it depends on which form of the name you use. So we still see it as
important. Unfortunately our LMS does not allow OPAC users to put in the
wrong form and get all the items by the person under the correct heading
- you would only find those which had the incorrect form somewhere in
the standard bib record, perhaps as a statement of responsibility.
We have ebooks from two sources and also have got but not yet loaded
MARC records for the Oxford ref and Credo collections. Some of the ebook
records are created by OCLC and therefore reasonably good. The rest need
updating but most don't look too bad.
Not sure if this helps -let me know if I can be of more help. I am the
chair of the CILIP Cataloguing & Indexing Group and we were only talking
[that] week about running a course around the general heading of
authority control. Probably early next year so no more detail about
date/ venue or content yet.
Andrew Coburn
Acquisitions & Cataloguing Manager
Essex Libraries
Adults, Health and Community Wellbeing
Essex County Council
Goldlay Gardens
tel. 01245 244957
01245 284981 ext 255
minicom 01245 244966
ECC ednet 35255
-----Original Message-----
From: Bibliographic standards in UK libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kelleher, Martin
Sent: 18 June 2008 16:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Authority Indexes
Hi,
Here at the University of Liverpool, we prioritise authority indexing
fairly highly, operating our own standard. We do, however, find it
increasingly difficult as a result of the influx of electronic records
in large numbers, and our acquisition of Blackwells 970 contents fields,
which include completely non-standard headings. We just manage them as
best we can, and with regards to e-book records prioritise according to
predicted stability of access to the relevant collections. Greater
consistency is better than none whatsoever!
On the positive side, that increasing number of bib records are
downloaded rather than created from scratch means that we have more time
to apply to authority maintenance.
Martin Kelleher
Bibliographic Services Librarian
University of Liverpool
-----Original Message-----
From: Bibliographic standards in UK libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Jane Daniels
Sent: 06 June 2008 11:39
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Authority Indexes
Hi,
Apologies for cross-posting but does anyone have any advice with regard
to the need for/cost of maintaining authority indexes?
We have an author index but are aware that some academic institutions
and public libraries have abandoned authority index maintenance
altogether,usually because of lack of staff time.
We would also like to import more records for free electronic resources
but wonder whether it is still possible to "control" and maintain
indexes under these circumstances.
Any responses would be very welcome even if it is just to say that you
don't maintain indexes!
Many thanks,
Jane Daniels
Information Advisor
UWIC
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