[DCRM-L] Early works to 1800

[Robert Maxwell]

Hello, all,

I'm on a SAC subcommittee making recommendations for the disposition of the genre/form subdivisions established as 185 records in the subject authority file. We're discussing the subdivision -Early works to 1800 right now.

First, I assume we want to be able to continue using this as a subdivision in 650 (etc.), correct?

Second, would there be interest in expanding its scope? At the moment it's only allowed "under names of countries, cities, etc., and under classes of persons, ethnic groups, and topical headings for individual works written or issued before 1800." E.g., it can't be used under names of persons in 600 fields; in addition, SCM 1576 forbids its use in the following situations:

5.  When to omit the subdivision.  Do not use the subdivision in situations for which the passage of time is of little consequence, including the following:
*   under names of persons, corporate bodies (except for geographic names), or individual works (except sacred works)
*   historical works; chronologies
*   under headings with dates, or period subdivisions; under headings with period qualifiers, for example, Science, Ancient
*   works of belles lettres; works about belles lettres

I would personally like to see the subdivision become completely free floating, i.e., allowed in any subject string without the omission requirements of SCM 1576. What do the rest of you think?

Third, would there be interest in establishing the term "Early works to 1800" (or something similar) as a genre/form term, allowing its use in 655?

Thanks,
Bob


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

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