Showing papers on "Authority control published in 2000"

Metadata and authority control

Abstract: A variety of information communities have developed metadata schemes to meet the needs of their own users. The ability of libraries to incorporate and use multiple metadata schemes in current library systems will depend on the compatibility of imported data with existing catalog data. Authority control will play an important role in metadata interoperability. In this article, I discuss factors for successful authority control in current library catalogs, which include operation in a well-defined and bounded universe, application of principles and standard practices to access point creation, reference to authoritative lists, and bibliographic record creation by highly trained individuals. Metadata characteristics and environmental models are examined and the likelihood of successful authority control is explored for a variety of metadata environments.

Searching for authority: Archivists and electronic records in the New World at fin de siècle

Abstract: The 1990's marked a turning point for archivists and electronic records management (ERM). Major conceptual solutions for ERM were proposed, and while these approaches have been adopted by some they have also generated intense debate and discussion. Three questions continue to remain unanswered. What is the authority for these approaches? How pervasive have these approaches been in influencing archival practice? How well known are these approaches across the archives field? This paper attempts to provide some preliminary answers to these questions. First, it reviews the literature on electronic records as published in the four leading North American English language journals, the American Archivist, Archival Issues, Archivaria, and Provenance for the past decade. During this period these four journals published a total of 62 articles on electronic records, and this part of the paper provides an in-depth citation analysis of these articles. Second, the author draws on data collected as part of the preparation of a single state wide long-range plan (Pennsylvania) for the management of archives and historical records, re-evaluating the data for what it tells us about the success and relevance of new approaches for ERM. The author uses these two sources of evidence to reconsider how archivists have approached ERM. He argues that the real responsibility, or authority, for ERM from an archival perspective must derive from local and institutional applications rather than relying only on model or magic bullet solutions provided from a higher level. While these new models have been very useful in helping the archival profession re-orient itself to records and record-keeping issues, they may not have been very helpful for providing practical solutions at the local level. The paper will conclude with some comments about what needs to happen to close the gap between practice and theory, application and model.

Revolutionizing name authority control

Abstract: A new model has been developed for the standardization of names in bibliographic databases. This paper describes the model and its implementation and also compares it with an existing model. The results show that the new model will revolutionize name authority control and will also improve on the existing NACO model. A prototype that was developed also indicates the technical feasibility of the model's implementation.

Time for change : A new approach to cataloguing concepts

Abstract: Three factors are likely to force dramatic changes in the libraries of the future. They are the increase in electronic publishing, the digitising of conventional library materials, and the Internet which is creating a second information revolution. New concepts are needed for cataloguing functions in the Internet environment. Cataloguing, now a precoordinate function should shift to a post-coordinate activity. Authority control should become an activity of the searching stage rather than the cataloguing stage. Uniform titles will be needed as one of the linking mechanisms. The value of ISBD (International Standard Bibliographic Control) needs to be justified. Issues connected with the Internet and search engines are explored. A scenario for the Catalogue 2000 is given that envisions the cataloguers' aims being the inclusion of library catalogue material that is relevant but not necessarily in the library.

Authority Control at the International Level

Abstract: International efforts to provide authority control include the work of IFLA, the AUTHOR Project funded by the European Commission, and related work conducted under the auspices of the ICA/CDS. IFLA developed the guidelines Form and Structure of Corporate Headings, documented the formulation of names along the lines of national origin in its publication Names of Persons, and, published Guidelines for Authority and Reference Entries. Attention has shifted from a single authority record for each entity that would be shared internationally through the exchange of records to linking parallel authority records for the same entity. The “access control” of the future will account for difference in cataloging rules, transliteration standards, and cultural differences within the same language as well as for the need for different languages and scripts and will enable users to display the script and form of a heading that they expect. Project AUTHOR is a shared set of resource national authority files that used selections from the authority files of France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, and Belgium. The prototype tested an adaptation of Z39.50 server software for authority records and displays for user interface. An international standard for authority control records has been developed, for corporate bodies, persons, and families. Through joint meetings efforts have been synchronized to develop authority control at the international level.

Name Authority Work for OCLC Copy Cataloging: Is It Worth the Effort?

Abstract: In 1996, a study was undertaken at the University of Arkansas Libraries to evaluate the practice of front-end authority work for monographs copy cataloging. A sample of 283 name headings originating from Library of Congress, OCLC “Enhance” member, and general member copy was examined, and analysis revealed that 47.3 percent of headings correctly matched authority records already present in the library's local file. Another 41.3 percent exactly matched records in the OCLC authority file. These findings prompted the library to cease checking name headings at the point of cataloging. However, the level of inaccuracies present, combined with the value of authority records for cross-reference and note information, ensured that the Database Maintenance Unit would continue to review local headings reports and perform needed authority work.

Automated authority files of Spanish-language subject headings

Abstract: SUMMARY Authority control of Spanish-language subject headings is described, with a special focus on Mexico. Efforts currently underway in Colombia, Chile, Spain and Mexico, although they share the same language, are somewhat lacking in standardization and cooperation among countries. In the absence of a national authority for bibliographic control in Mexico, a group of university libraries has initiated a cooperative project to build in the near future a national file of Spanish subject headings for the Social Sciences. The project, based upon the experience and rich collections of El Colegio de Mexico, has attracted support from the U.S. Library of Congress and is being partially financed by the U.S.-Mexican Fund for Culture (sponsored by the Rockefeller and Bancomer Foundations). The paper mentions some of the difficulties found in translating LCSH, which is the main resource for the project. These difficulties can include semantics, syndetic structure, or pragmatic problems; most have been solved by s...

Improving access in bilingual, biscript catalogues through Arabised authority control

Abstract: Describes some of the information retrieval issues faced by Arab libraries with bilingual (Arabic/English), biscript (Arabic/Latin) catalogues. Reviews earlier published work on multiscript bibliographic databases before focusing on controlled name and subject access points, including suggestions for how best to serve the information needs of a group of end‐users who are predominantly native Arabic‐speakers.

Retrospective Conversion: The Experience at the University of Botswana Library

Abstract: This paper describes the University of Botswana Library (UBL) retrospective conversion project and introduces the UBL automation planning activities. The paper also briefly discusses sources of records used in the creation of UBL database; authority control measures; decisions made regarding the editing of records and the recommended conversion procedures. More attention is placed on the actual UBL conversion project as well as the experiences of other libraries. This part details how the project was carried out at U.B. Library from September 1995 until July 1997 and reports implications in terms of staffing arrangements, success rates and quality considerations. Lastly, the paper describes the methods the library used to convert the collection. It examines the problems encountered throughout the project and gives advice to libraries that might be in the process of embarking on a similar project.

NACO versus ISAN: prospects for name authority control

Abstract: A traditional model of name authority control (the Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO)) and the International Standard Author Number (ISAN), which was proposed in a previous article, are compared. This comparison is drawn in terms of the following criteria: input required during the standardisation of names; support for universal bibliographic control; promotion of collaboration between libraries and information services with regard to resource sharing and shared cataloguing; support for quality interaction between the user and information; saving of costs and time; and finally, the accommodation of future changes. Based on these results, the more effective method of the two is proposed for the standardisation of names.

Machine-assisted validation of LC Subject headings : Implications for authority file structure

Abstract: SUMMARY Many kinds of structure can be discerned in the headings and rules governing the Library of Congress Subject Headings. By addressing these structures at different levels, librarians can develop different approaches to the machine-assisted validation of subject headings, from the checking of individual words to the validation of complex forms of heading/subdivision compatibility. Using computer programs to assist with maintenance of subject headings is becoming increasingly necessary as technical services librarians strive to create consistent and useful patterns of subject collocation in library catalogs.