-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: Cadastral vs. Plat
Date:   Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:41:42 -0500
From:   Paige Andrew <[log in to unmask]>
To:     Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship
<[log in to unmask]>



Angie,

I wouldn't say you are wrong, but I think it was a correct decision from
LC's point. From a patron's perspective, maybe and maybe not. I would
say that most (all?) of our undergrads would not know what EITHER of
these is if you said "plat map" or "cadastral map". Once you get up to
the grad students, some might know the difference but I'm betting most
would not, though more might recognize the term "cadastral". Researchers
are a different story -- but as long as your local system deals well
with cross references (ours does) in a sense it is a moot point because
if someone were to type in "Plat maps" they would be directed to
"Cadastral maps" and a long list of materials falling into that
category. Another point to make, how many start their searches with a
subject search? The nice thing about the f/g headings is that we can
build these into facets in our new/newer discovery interfaces, something
I look forward to seeing in our situation in a few months as we launch
Summon.

Of course, we catalogers can also always make such situations easier by
also supplying appropriate related topical terms, in this case "Real
property" and "Landowners". Then one can also argue the side of keyword
searching, in which any item with the words "plat map" on it that is
recorded in the title or any other field (notes /can/ be useful here!)
then they're going to be retrieved also.

I don't think all is lost here....

Paige

On 2/28/2011 4:18 PM, Angie Cope wrote:
> It's come to my attention that the genre/topical term "Plat maps" has
> been deleted and now instead, we are to use "Cadastral maps."
>
> Walk up to one of your patrons and ask them what a cadastral map is.
> Then, after they stutter and stammer a wrong answer, ask them what a
> plat map is. I love the word cadastral but I don't think it's a word
> used by users.
>
> This is an example of a sad decision.
>
> http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/wls11/awls1102.html
>
> (A) 155 Cadastral maps [sp2010025034]
> * 455 UF Plan diagrams
> * 455 UF Plan maps
> * 455 UF Plat books
> * 455 UF Plat diagrams
> * 455 UF Plat maps [EARLIER FORM OF HEADING]
> * 455 UF Plot diagrams
> * 455 UF Plot maps
> * 455 UF Protraction maps
> * 555 RT Plat maps CANCEL
>
>
> Am I wrong about any of this?
>
> Angie
> AGS Library
> (opinions are my own)