--- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 09:40:49 -0500 From: "Caplan,Ellen" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Subject Subdivision Authority Records on OCLC Sender: "Caplan,Ellen" <[log in to unmask]> For those Maps-l subscribers who catalog on OCLC the following may be of interest to you. This has been cross-posted to several email discussion list so please excuse the duplication. ------------------- OCLC recently began loading Library of Congress subject subdivision authority records which prompted some questions and concerns on various cataloging email discussion lists. There is a problem with the display of subject subdivision authority records in some brief list displays, i.e., those displays of several authority record entries which are most often retrieved as part of a derived key search in the OCLC Authority File. In some cases, the subdivision heading text is followed by two angle brackets and some garbage characters. In other cases, the heading displays as four question marks. In either situation, the subdivision heading or reference may not appear in the correct alphabetical sequence in those displays. The cause has been identified, and OCLC plans on installing a software fix this coming weekend to resolve the problem. All headings remain correctly indexed; problem is limited solely to the display and sort order within brief list displays. There are no apparent problems with the root and expanded index displays which are retrieved as part of a scan search in the authority file. There had also been a question regarding the repeatability of field 073 in subject subdivision authority records. The field is not repeatable; although, a few records have been received with repeated 073 fields. They will be corrected by the Library of Congress. Code "lcsh" appearing in field 073 currently does not pass OCLC online validation. The validation rules will be adjusted to correct that problem this coming weekend as well. If you have any questions or concerns, you can address them to Robert Bremer (email: [log in to unmask]). --OCLC WorldCat Management Section --- End Forwarded Message ---