January 28, 2011
How do authority records define the entities they establish?
In various conversations lately I've been struggling to explain my feeling that authority records contain more than the data they display, and that when they get deconstructed as linked data, this something more needs to be represented in the linked data results. Generally I think of it as an implicit "definition." Some records include more defining information than others, but even those which contain very little are nevertheless asserting the uniqueness of a certain entity--but how can that assertion be explained when the data is minimal and not particularly distinguishing?
February 3, 2009
Which subject headings are changing?
This entry will be used to track changes to subject headings which are heavily represented (over 20 entries) in the MNCAT catalog. See the rest of the message for the list. This entry will be updated with new changed headings as the work on updating headings proceeds. New entries will be added to the top of the list. -SH
Continue reading "Which subject headings are changing?"September 25, 2008
Shouldn't this search interface look more like Google?
Remember the Spike Lee commercial for some company’s athletic shoes? Spike appears on camera trying to compete against a professional basketball player who flies around the court outmaneuvering Spike and sinking baskets with ease. At the end Spike is seen studying a sneaker and muttering to himself, “The shoes. It’s gotta be the shoes.� Remember this; we’ll come back to it.
Continue reading "Shouldn't this search interface look more like Google?"July 1, 2008
I sometimes see odd codes at the beginning of call numbers when doing a call number search. What are they? Do we need them?
Most of these are location codes for other libraries which came in as part of records from RLIN. We don't need them, but they're hard to get rid of. For more detail, read on.
Continue reading "I sometimes see odd codes at the beginning of call numbers when doing a call number search. What are they? Do we need them?"September 26, 2007
What is NACO normalization? Should I use it?
NACO normalization is a set of rules for eliminating small differences from character strings. Normalization is good, but NACO normalization isn't good in all cases. For more information, please click "Continue reading."
Continue reading "What is NACO normalization? Should I use it?"May 2, 2006
How should I cite a name which is used on older LC bib records, but not established?
Older forms found on LC bib records raise a number of questions. Click "Continue reading ..." below for an extended discussion which covers a number of them.
March 2, 2006
Which libraries hold the analytic volume I'm looking for?
When you look for holdings for an analyzed volume--i.e., a volume that's part of a cataloged set or series, but that also has its own catalog record--it matters which place you look for the holdings information in the MNCAT public catalog. The "Availability Link" list on the brief display will generally be more complete than the "Availability" line holdings on the full record display. For details, please read the full entry.
Continue reading "Which libraries hold the analytic volume I'm looking for?"February 2, 2006
Adding death dates
The full entry below includes the announcement from LC's Cataloging Policy and Support Office of how LC will implement the new policy regarding adding death dates to personal name headings with open birth dates, and how we will be implementing the policy locally.
Continue reading "Adding death dates"May 23, 2005
Is ontology overrated?
Clay Shirky has posted a piece titled "Ontology Is Overrated: Ontologies, Links, and Tags" at http://shirky.com/writings/ontology_overrated.html The piece has attracted some interest among library staff. The rest of this entry is a set of notes in response to points raised by Shirky. Though I agree with his basic point about the viability of uncontrolled user tagging of web content as a means of extending access, I also contend much of his case that ontology is "overrated" is overstated. The comments in the extended entry here will be easier to follow if the Shirky piece is read first.
Continue reading "Is ontology overrated?"May 11, 2005
WorldCat says we have this. How come I can't find it in MNCAT?
MNCAT is our library of record, not WorldCat. For various reasons, WorldCat is an unreliable guide to what the University Libraries holds. For more detail, read on.
Continue reading "WorldCat says we have this. How come I can't find it in MNCAT?"