[DCRM-L] Encoding level

[Fletcher, Jain]

Hi, everyone,
Yes, what Walter says (and others who responded in favor of the "K") is
absolutely true. I have worked in OCLC since 1981 and have *never* seen
a cataloged record with Elvl 5 (and even rarely, if ever, seen a
vendor's record with 5). For all the reasons that Walter (and the BF&S)
have given, Elvl K suffices as the "alert" to other catalogers that the
record is suitable for upgrading, which is what Oksana wanted to know.
Thanks, Jain

Jain Fletcher
Principal Cataloger & Head, Technical Services Division
Department of Special Collections
Young Research Library - UCLA Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575

v: (310) 794-4096
f: (310) 206-1864
e: jfletchr at library.ucla.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu] On
Behalf Of Nickeson, Walter
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 9:03 AM
To: DCRM Revision Group List
Subject: Re: [DCRM-L] Encoding level

If you're using OCLC, you should use "K", as explained in Bibliographic
Formats and Standards
<http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/onlinecataloging/default.shtm>:

"Input records according to the Minimal-level standard, as appropriate.
For example: ... Materials in foreign languages in which you lack
expertise ... The Minimal-level standard has the following
characteristics: Records must be identified as code K in ELvl."

Following that section is the note: "LC and CONSER have defined
standards for Minimal-level cataloging. Those standards vary from
K-level. If you are a member of such a cooperative project, use its
standards."

*****************************************
  Walter F. Nickeson, Catalog &
    Metadata Management Librarian
  Rush Rhees Library
  University of Rochester
  Rochester, NY  14627-0055
  wnickeson at library.rochester.edu 
  (585) 273-2326  fax: (585) 273-1032
*****************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu] On
Behalf Of Oksana K. Linda
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2009 10:17 AM
To: DCRM Revision Group List
Subject: [DCRM-L] Encoding level

Hello:

Lately I have been cataloging early-mid. 18th century items in German. I

have less then zero German. My question is: if I code elvl 1 (full
level, 
material not examined), would that be enough to let the cataloging 
community know that my records are not as thorough?

Thank you.
/Oksana.

Oksana Katerine Linda
University of Michigan
William L. Clements Library