Authority Records in a Networked Environment

Network Scenarios

1. Contributing records to a cooperative national file

2. Deriving records from external sources

3. Merging records into a composite multinational/multilingual file

1. Contributing to a cooperative file

Cooperative File

Library A Library B Library C

1. Search

2. Identify

3. Integrate

2. Deriving from external files

Library File

Source A Source B Source C

1. Search

2. Identify

3. Integrate

3. Merging into composite file

Composite File

Library A Library B Library C

1. Search

2. Identify

3. Integrate

Search Identify Integrate

• Search– optimize recall

• Identify– optimize precision

• Integrate– compatibility with file standards– coherency of reference structures

Search : Optimize Recall(1) Search authorized and variant headings

HEADINGS SEARCHED HEADINGS IN FILE

< Bure, Guillaume de

Debure, Guillaume Bure, Guillaume de1

2

Search : Optimize Recall(2) Exclude additions to heading from search term

Smith, Russell E. (Russell Eugene)

< Smith, Russell Eugene

Smith, Russell E.

HEADINGS SEARCHED HEADINGS IN FILE

1

2

Search : Optimize Recall(3) Search on original script / transliterated forms

Ts`ao, Hsüeh-ch`in

Cao, Xuequin

Cao, Xuequin

HEADINGS SEARCHED HEADINGS IN FILE

1

2

Identify : Optimize Precision(1) Compare additions to headings

Brown, George, Rev.

Brown, George, Captain

HEADINGS SEARCHED HEADINGS RETRIEVED

1

2

Brown, George, Rev.

Identify : Optimize Precision(2) Compare supplementary data in notes, etc.

Du Jardin, Thomas

Du Jardin, Thomas

Du Jardin, Thomas

HEADINGS SEARCHED HEADINGS RETRIEVED

1

2

Nationality: French Nationality: Belgian

Nationality: French

Identify : Optimize Precision(3) Compare reference structures

Stewart, J.I.M. Stewart, J.I.M.

HEADINGS SEARCHED HEADINGS RETRIEVED

<< Innes, Michael

Innes, Michael

<<Stewart, J.I.M.

1

2

< Innes, Michael

1

2

Integrate : Compatibility(1) Conformity with rules, etc.

Charles IV, Roi de France

Charles IV, King of France

HEADINGS SEARCHED HEADINGS RETRIEVED

1

2

Charles IV, Roi de France

Rules: AACR

Rules: RCAA

Rules: AFNOR

Integrate : Compatibility(2) Established order of preference among sources

Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary)

Beeton, Mrs.

HEADINGS SEARCHED HEADINGS RETRIEVED

Beeton, Mrs.

Nationality: British

Source: British Library

1

2

Nationality: British

Source: British Library

Nationality: British

Source: Library of Congress

Integrate : Coherency(1) Elimination of conflicts in reference structures

Stewart, J.I.M.

HEADINGS SEARCHED

<< Innes, Michael

Innes, Michael

<<Stewart, J.I.M.

1

2

< Innes, Michael

Stewart, J.I.M. 1

2

EDITED RECORDS

<< Innes, Michael

1 Stewart, J.I.M.

Innes, Michael

<<Stewart, J.I.M.

2

HEADINGS RETRIEVED

Facilitating international sharing

• IFLA Working Group on an International Authority System

• Guidelines for Authority and Reference Entries• Guidelines for Authority Records and References• UNIMARC Authorities• International Cooperation in the Field of Authority

Data• Minimal Level Record for Internationally Shared

Resource Authority Records• Working Group on Functional Requirements and

Numbering of Authority Records (FRANAR)

Objectives

• Specify data requirements

• Define data structures

• Develop an international numbering scheme

Issues

• Understanding the function of the data– data supporting identification

• data embodied in the heading (e.g., name, dates)• data recorded in cataloguer’s notes (e.g., field of

activity)• data recorded in coded form (e.g., nationality, gender)

– data supporting integration• data identifying the source and status of the record• data identifying the language of the record or data

element• data identifying scripts, transliteration schemes,

character sets, etc.

Issues

• Clarifying data definitions– differentiating categories of data elements

• e.g., distinguishing between “name” and “addition”

Leighton, Frederick Leighton, Baron

Beeton, Mrs.

– clarifying underlying concepts• e.g., nationality (place of birth? citizenship? place of

residence?)

Du Jardin, Thomas [birthplace: France; residence: France]

Du Jardin, Thomas [birthplace: France; residence: Belgium]

Issues

• Potential for automatic editing– complexities in language of cataloguing

AFNOR: Charles IV, Roi de France [‡8frefre]

AACR: Charles IV, King of France [‡8engfre]

AFNOR: Abrantès, Laure Junot, duchesse d’ [‡8frefre]

AACR: Abrantès, Laure Junot, duchesse d’ [‡8engfre]

AFNOR: Valmer, capitaine [‡8frefre]

AACR: Valmer, capitaine [‡8engfre]

Issues

<< Innes, Michael

1 Stewart, J.I.M.

Innes, Michael

<<Stewart, J.I.M.

2

Stewart, J.I.M.

< Innes, Michael

3

• Accommodating differences in cataloguing rules and practice– recognition of discrete entities (e.g., author who

uses one or more pseudonyms)

Issues

• Administration of an international numbering scheme– responsibility for assigning an ISAN

• jurisdictional responsibility• first-in

– procedures for ensuring validity of assignment• international register• national/regional registers

– linking authority and bibliographic files• adding ISANs to heading fields in bibliographic records