[DCRM-L] Early works to 1800

[Dooley,Jackie]

This discussion offers a terrific example of how rare book catalogers
can contribute to simplification of cataloging without sacrificing
useful data: make the blinkin' subdivision free-floating already! J Bob,
I hope the SAC subcommittee finds a ton of other subdivisions that can
have their application greatly simplified in addition to this one.
Complex nuances such as that currently applied to the "Early works to
1800" subdivision  are the sort of triviality that give cataloging its
well-deserved reputation for excessive complexity-and that prevent
catalogers from fully applying their sophisticated brains to the aspects
of their work that matter.

 

Lots of other interesting and useful thoughts expressed throughout this
thread too. Kudos to all!

 

Jackie

 

P.S. Don't get me started on |x History and |x Sources ...

 

Jackie Dooley

Consulting Archivist

OCLC Research and the RLG Partnership

 

949.492.5060 (home/office)

949.295.1529 (mobile)

dooleyj at oclc.org

 

647 Camino de los Mares, Suite 108-240

San Clemente, CA 92673

 

From: dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu [mailto:dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu] On
Behalf Of Robert Maxwell
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2010 11:21 AM
To: DCRM Revision Group List
Subject: [DCRM-L] Early works to 1800

 

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 

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://listserver.lib.byu.edu/pipermail/dcrm-l/attachments/20100423/cc8b704f/attachment.htm