[DCRM-L] Question: Local notes in OCLC master records

[Robert Maxwell]

It seems unfortunate to me that OCLC has chosen this model. For one thing it creates two classes of libraries where there really isn't a good reason to do so. Second, it discourages use of IRs (if you have to pay for them on top of your regular subscription you certainly will think twice about using them-or at least your administrators will). The IR concept is such a good one, OCLC should not be putting obstacles in the way of using them.

While I'm thinking of it, another obstacle appears to be lack of public interface with them. They don't show up nor are they searchable, as far as I know, in the FirstSearch interface (which is our public view of OCLC), or (far less) in worldcat.org. At least I haven't been able to find them in either place. If this is the case IRs are further marginalized. The only place I am able to see BYU's institution record for a given master record is in the Connexion client or web version, which is not helpful to the public. Jackie?

Robert L. Maxwell
Special Collections and Ancient Languages Catalog Librarian
Genre/Form Authorities Librarian
6728 Harold B. Lee Library
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
(801)422-5568

From: dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu] On Behalf Of Dooley,Jackie
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 12:34 PM
To: DCRM Revision Group List
Subject: Re: [DCRM-L] Question: Local notes in OCLC master records

Libraries that aren't ex-RLIN can purchase IRs. I would be surprised if few have done so, but I've never inquired. -Jackie

Jackie Dooley
Consulting Archivist
OCLC Research and the RLG Partnership


From: dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu] On Behalf Of Auyong, Dorothy
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:31 AM
To: DCRM Revision Group List
Subject: Re: [DCRM-L] Question: Local notes in OCLC master records

Whenever we create a Master Record/Institutional Record combination, I have instructed our catalogers to remove all local notes and tracings from the Master.

I seem to remember that 590 and 500 notes tagged |5 will automatically be stripped from the Master record.  Added entries (7xx) and 655 (form genre) headings coded |5 will NOT be automatically stripped and I have my catalogers strip those from the Master.  Without the corresponding justification in the local note, they are just bad "noise" in an MR.

I don't know that the option to create IRs was ever extended to OCLC libraries or it remains a legacy of we few, proud and unapologetic former RLIN libraries <smile>

Dorothy Auyong
Principal Rare Book Cataloger
Huntington Library
dauyong at huntington.org<mailto:dauyong at huntington.org>


-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://listserver.lib.byu.edu/pipermail/dcrm-l/attachments/20091116/c65a7265/attachment.htm