The Anglo-American Authority File: A PCC Story

Abstract

This article examines the motivations for the collaboration between the British Library and Library of Congress to develop a joint (Anglo-American) authority file. It describes the obstacles that had to be overcome for the British Library to become a Name Authority Cooperative (NACO) “copy holder”, or node. It considers the contribution the British Library made to NACO, the benefits it has derived from participation in Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC), and concludes by looking ahead to the next 25?years.     

The Program for Cooperative Cataloging: Backstory and Future Potential

Abstract

In 1988 the Library of Congress and eight library participants undertook a two-year pilot known as the National Coordinated Cataloging Program (NCCP) to increase the number of quality bibliographic records. Subsequently the Bibliographic Services Study Committee reviewed the pilot. Discussions held at the Library of Congress (LC) and in other fora resulted in the creation of the Cooperative Cataloging Council, and, ultimately, the establishment of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) in 1994. The conditions that contributed to a successful approach to shared cataloging are described. The article concludes with considerations for expanding the future effectiveness of the PCC.     

CONSER: The Very Model of a Modern Cooperative Program

Abstract

The CONSER Program is the oldest component of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) and many elements that made CONSER a success were adopted by the PCC over the past twenty-five years. This article describes how CONSER’s evolution over the years in the areas of membership, leadership, standards, training and documentation influenced the development of the PCC.     

PCC: A Leader of Change

Abstract

From its beginnings, the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) has been an international leader of change in bibliographic and authority control and maintenance, and metadata creation and distribution. This article highlights some PCC achievements in these areas.     

Special Libraries and PCC: Adopting Community Standards at Focused Collections

Abstract

A reminiscence on the positive influence of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) through the perspective of the author’s career as she moved from university libraries into the specialized realm of a research library within a museum. The author describes her service on the PCC Policy Committee, how The Frick Art Reference Library joined PCC, and how New York City art librarians facilitated best practices in partnership with PCC trainers and the ArtNACO Funnel. The mutual benefits of PCC and the unique contributions of special libraries are emphasized. Challenges to this community’s participation in PCC are outlined, with suggestions for going forward.     

The PCC ISNI Pilot: Exploring Identity Management on a Global,Collaborative Scale

Abstract

The Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) conducted a multi-institution Pilot project to contribute metadata to the International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) database. In addition to describing the goals, structure, and activities undertaken in the Pilot, this article examines some of the experiences of PCC metadata practitioners as they sought to incorporate ISNIs into their metadata workflows and pursue a wide range of ISNI use cases. Lastly, the article outlines next steps that flowed from the Pilot as the PCC has parlayed its newly developing identity management expertise into additional PCC program explorations.     

From Vision to Action: One Campus's Experience with the UC CONSER Funnel

ABSTRACT

In 2006, the University of California launched a Cooperative Online Serials Program (CONSER) Funnel. It paved the way for serials catalogers across UC libraries to work with CONSER records in the OCLC WorldCat database. The first funnel dealing with bibliographic records in a decentralized approach in the Program for Cooperative Cataloging's history, it has had significant impact locally and nationally. The UC Davis Library was one of the early participants. Valerie Bross was instrumental in its establishment and implementation. This article presents the view from a participating library's standpoint and complements Valerie's article which was published here in 2010.     

Three Decades Since Prejudices and Antipathies: A Study of Changes in the Library of Congress Subject Headings

ABSTRACT

The Library of Congress Subject Headings have been criticized for containing biased subject headings. One leading critic has been Sanford Berman, whose 1971 monograph Prejudices and Antipathies: A Tract on the LC Subject Heads Concerning People (P&A), listed a number of objectionable headings and proposed remedies. In the decades since P&A was first published, many of Berman's suggestions have been implemented, while other headings remain unchanged. This paper compiles all of Berman's suggestions and tracks the changes that have occurred; a brief analysis of the remaining areas of bias is included.     

Expand,Humanize, Simplify: An Interview with Sandy Berman

In this interview, Sanford (“Sandy”) Berman discusses his career and his efforts to promote responsive, user-friendly cataloging practices over uncritical deference to prevailing standards. Topics covered include his work at Hennepin County Library, his thoughts on the campaign to change the subject heading “Illegal aliens,” his ongoing practice of proposing new Library of Congress Subject Headings, and his relationship with the Library of Congress.     

Building a More Diverse and Inclusive Cataloging Cooperative

Abstract

The Program for Cooperative Cataloging’s Strategic Directions document for 2018-2021 mark the first explicit mention of diversity and inclusion in PCC strategic planning, but the organization has a significant record of supporting diversity, inclusion and collaboration within the library cataloging community throughout its 25?year history. This paper will outline what the PCC has done to be more diverse and inclusive in its work and collaborations, and offer recommendations on where PCC should go next to even further support diversity, equity, and inclusion with collaboration in the future.     

“There was Sex but no Sexuality*:” Critical Cataloging and the Classification of Asexuality in LCSH

Abstract

This paper examines the addition of “asexuality” to the Library of Congress Subject Headings as a case study from which to examine the critical cataloging movement. Beginning with a review of some of the theoretical and practical issues around subject access for minoritized and marginalized sexualities, this paper then contextualizes, historicizes, and introduces the critical cataloging movement to the literature, situating it within a larger and longer history of radical cataloging. It will define critical cataloging as a social justice-oriented style of radical cataloging that places an emphasis on radical empathy, outreach work, and recognizes the importance of information maintenance and care. This paper introduces the concept of “catalogic warrant” to characterize the process of “reading” the catalog to examine the harm or benefit of terms on users and the wider library community.     

One for Nine Ten: Cataloging for Consortia Collections,a UC model

ABSTRACT

In January 2000, the University of California created the Shared Cataloging Program (SCP). Based at the University of California, San Diego, the SCP is a “centralized cataloging model” for the California Digital Library consortium collections. This article will take an evolutionary look at the perpetual challenges of sustaining a consortial cataloging model and highlight the efforts of the SCP in the ongoing quest to eliminate the redundancy of efforts by centralizing the optimization of cataloging efficiency.     

From Council to Program: Creating the Program for Cooperative Cataloging

Abstract

By early 1994, the Cooperative Cataloging Council had created the framework for a Program for Cooperative Cataloging to put its principles and goals into action, but much remained to be done. Decisions taken in the months ahead regarding standards, training, uses of technology and the future of existing cooperative programs would be crucial in gaining buy-in from catalogers and administrators, and determining whether the PCC would achieve the goals of better, cheaper, faster, and more cataloging.     

Identifying ECIP Partner Needs: Survey Results on ECIP Set-Up

Abstract

The Electronic Cataloging in Publication (ECIP) Cataloging Partnership Program began in 2004. It is a collaboration between the Library of Congress (LC) Cataloging in Publication (CIP) Program, publishers, and libraries across the United States. System set-up for the program proved challenging for library partners. A survey was conducted during February 8–March 6, 2018 to learn about ECIP partners’ ECIP set-up experience. The findings show that communication and training documentation are two key elements for the program to be effective and successful. The survey results helped the LC CIP program develop a new and improved ECIP system.     

End of the Line?: A Case Study of a Cataloging Department Achieving BIBCO Status

The Cataloging and Metadata Services Department of the Pennsylvania State University Libraries successfully achieved full participation in the Library of Congress’ Monographic Bibliographic Record Cooperative Program of the PCC (BIBCO) in 2010. Reaching this goal means that the catalogers at Penn State are now fully engaged in all of the cooperative cataloging initiatives overseen by the PCC, as well as participating in cooperative quality control efforts for three formats within the OCLC Enhance Program. This article describes the journey toward achieving both BIBCO status and full participation in all cooperative programs and the importance for doing so. It also serves as a means to invite other institutions to take the next steps on their journey toward full participation in cooperative cataloging, or to join us in these important efforts.     

关于主题规范文档建设机制的若干思考--以LCSH为例

《美国国会主题标题表》(LCSH)是由美国国会图书馆(LC)制定并负责维护的一套英语主题标引系统,历经一个多世纪的发展,以强大的生命力适应时代的发展变迁,成为世界图书馆主要采用的主题标引与检索工具。LCSH标题数量庞大,结构严谨,应用规则严格,随着主题规范合作项目SACO的开展,以LC为首的越来越多的图书馆参与到LCSH的建设中,并形成了一套相对成熟的建设机制。本文以LCSH长期以来形成的建设机制为切入点,对主题规范文档建设中遇到的包括文档更新、书目更新、名称主题词的归属、建设基础等若干关键问题进行深入思考,并对我国当前主题规范控制工作实践如何借鉴国外有益经验提出思路。     

Genre Terms for Chemistry and Engineering: Not Just for Literature Anymore

ABSTRACT

We developed a project utilizing the local form/genre heading, “property data,” and specific subheadings to help chemists, engineers, and those librarians assisting them to more easily locate library resources containing chemical and physical properties of substances. This article describes the project and examines possibilities for improving access to physical sciences literature in relation to Library of Congress Subject Headings and ongoing developments in authority records for form/genre terms. It also introduces functionality of such headings in the new “next generation” catalogs.     

The Impact of More,Better, Faster,Cheaper: How the PCC Influenced Everything That Followed

Abstract

The beginnings and the early years of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) had a profound impact on the approach taken to cataloging in North America and around the world. The commitment to standards, cooperation, and expanded access also had an impact that went far beyond cataloging operations. One library dean traces the evolution of her vision and contemplates how the PCC’s principles have shaped her entire career and have affected the libraries in which she has worked.