Responding to the first of Karen's points:
It might be more accurate to say that using the text of the
authorized heading as the match point in the authorization process
causes problems. Authority records typically do have identifiers
(e.g., LCCNs, or local system numbers), and systems can (and some do)
use embedded authority record ID numbers to manage authority
updating. But there are problems with this approach, too. The local
system ID will not necessarily convey information when I export my
record. My system's formatting of the LCCN may not match the
receiving system's formatting, making matching on that problematic.
The transmission of the heading text itself makes the record
immediately usable (no need to translate ID codes to meaningful
text), but risks breaking the authorization links and introducing
variant forms of the same heading in the receiving file.
Note also that using IDs instead of text requires that many more
controlled terms be established (e.g., many combinations of name +
title or topic + subdivision), or that automated authority control
and coding be much more sophisticated in terms of its ability to
authorize components of headings hierarchically and validate their
combinations. If we can do that, it would be a significant gain in
functionality; but I doubt it would mean fewer headaches for system
designers and database maintainers. I'm basically in favor of the
change proposed, but I don't see it as a simplification of what we do.
Stephen
At 09:57 AM 8/22/2007, you wrote:
>Here are some things that need to change:
>
>1) The "authorized heading" is also the identifier for the thing or
>person being identified. That means that if you change cataloging rules,
>you change the identifier. This is a very bad practice, because it
>breaks all of the links between bib records and authority records.
>
>kc
****************************************************
Stephen Hearn
Authority Control Coord./Database Mgmt. Section Head
Technical Services Dept.
University of Minnesota
160 Wilson Library Voice: 612-625-2328
309 19th Avenue South Fax: 612-625-3428
Minneapolis, MN 55455 E-mail: s-hear_at_tc.umn.edu
Received on Wed Aug 22 2007 - 12:54:12 EDT