Forwarded with permission
From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Whitacre,Cynthia
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2016 9:43 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCCLIST] Removal of GMDs from WorldCat
This message is being posted on several lists. Please excuse the duplication.
Can anyone believe it has been three years since RDA was fully implemented by the Library of Congress for all cataloging? As stated in the
OCLC RDA Policy Statement, OCLC agreed, in conjunction with the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC), that General Material Designations
(GMDs, found in field 245 subfield $h) would be retained for a period of 3 years in existing WorldCat bibliographic records that were not re-cataloged according to RDA. That three year period is quickly coming to an end on March 31, 2016. We are therefore
announcing that OCLC will begin deleting GMDs from existing bibliographic records starting in April 2016. The removal of GMDs is part of the ongoing work to introduce RDA elements and practices to existing WorldCat records.
GMDs will not disappear overnight. This will be a gradual process over the next few years. We will start in April with WorldCat record #1 and move systematically forward, adjusting records with English language of cataloging (field 040
subfield $b eng) first. When other records are updated for reasons apart from the systematic walk through the database, GMDs may be removed from those as well. When GMDs are removed, OCLC will assure that the appropriate 33X fields for content, media, and
carrier types are added to records whenever possible. Because we are using automated methods to make these changes, it may not always be possible to add all three fields. We will err on the side of omitting a field rather than adding an incorrect one.
Please note that members of the OCLC cooperative may continue to contribute new unique records to WorldCat formulated according to any cataloging code they are currently using. OCLC does NOT require libraries to catalog using RDA. Any
institution wishing to add GMDs to bibliographic records may do so through local editing, but please do not add GMDs to a master record.
Additionally, for those who have access to WorldShare Collection Manager, you can configure
WorldCat updates (a one-time process) to automatically receive updated WorldCat
records once the GMD has been removed and 33X fields have been added.
Questions regarding these changes may be sent to
[log in to unmask].
The WorldCat Quality Team
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Cynthia M. Whitacre |
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OCLC · Manager, WorldCat Quality |
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6565 Kilgour Place, Dublin, Ohio USA 43017 |
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T +1-614-764-6183
· T +1-800-848-5878 x6183 · F +1-614-718-7397 |
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