Backstage Library Works offers name and subject authority control based on the Library of Congress name and subject authority databases. The authority control process standardizes name, subject, series, and uniform title headings.

Standard Library of Congress Batch Processing

Pre-processing
Prior to the comparison of headings using the Library of Congress authority files, pre-processing steps are performed to prepare the bibliographic information for authority processing. At this time, inconsistencies in the record headings are standardized for the authority matching operation. This includes error correction, obsolete field deletion and modification, removal of unwanted fields, correction of punctuation, removal of obsolete brackets and parentheses, and other steps to prepare the database for processing. In addition, a custom corrections program created from many years of processing experience is applied to make further corrections (such as changes to invalid qualifiers, inversion errors, etc.).

Processing
The record headings are run against the Library of Congress name and subject authority file databases. The following headings are affected: Names (100, 110, 111, 700, 711); Subject-Names (600, 610, 611, 630); Series (400, 410, 411, 440, 800, 810, 811, 830, 840); Uniform Titles (130, 240, 243, 730); and, Subject-Topics (650, 651).


Enhanced Library of Congress Batch Processing

In addition to full authority processing, the library has input on profiling specifications and decisions. This option includes a limited manual review of common split headings and a non-matched headings report.

Authority File Output
The library may elect to have all of the corresponding LC name and subject files output to tape, disc, or CD-ROM in preparation for loading onto the library's automation system. The authority files contain "see" and "see also" cross-references, scope notes, and other information relative to each heading.

Additional Authority Control Services

• Full manual review
• MeSH authority control
• LC Children'sauthority control
• Authority processing using a locally created authority database
• Ongoing authority control processing (notification services)
• The Art & Architecture Thesaurus (AAT)
• Guidelines on Subject Access to Individual Works of Fiction, Drama, etc. (GSAFD)
  

Planning guide
Click here for a PDF version of the planning guide. This document will explain, in full detail, our authority control process. Still further questions? Please call.

For more information, send an e-mail to info@bslw.com, or call (800) 316-BSLW.