Date: Mon, 26 Sep 1994 09:39:14 -0700
From: Mitch Turitz <TURITZ@MERCURY.SFSU.EDU>
Subject: RE: CONSER Proposal: Core Record for Serials
X-To:         "AUTOCAT: Library cataloging and authorities discussion group"
 <AUTOCAT@UBVM.cc.buffalo.edu>, Brian Schottlaender <ECZ5BRI@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU>
X-cc:         serialst%uvmvm.bitnet@cunyvm.cuny.edu

Brian:
   Having worked for CONSER and also served on CC:DA, I understand the
reasoning for many of the decisions regarding the data elements in each
level.  However, I must disagree with the Minimal level which states "1.c.
- Subject headings are not required".  My reasons are as follows:

   From my experience of having worked in both public and university
libraries, whenever a CONSER record is used, the library in question must
assign a subject heading whenever the bibliographic record is lacking one.
Not only is this task multiplied by the thousands of libraries which have
to do the same work over, but we are NOT EVEN ALLOWED TO UPDATE THE OCLC
RECORD as enhance libraries are for monographs. Once a record is "locked"
(by the addition of the 042 to the CONSER record) we cannot even let other
libraries benefit by the update which we have done to our own records.

   My recommendation is:  if you must insist on allowing minimal level
records to have neither classification nor subject headings, then you MUST
allow non-CONSER libraries the capability of upgrading the same records as
the enhance libraries which can upgrade monographic records (by adding
subject headings, etc.)

   And while I am on the subject, I would also request that non-CONSER
libraries also be allowed to update (online) ANY record when it comes to
closing off the dates (362) and adding links (78X) to other bibliographic
records (e.g. when the title changes).

   Thank you for asking for input to your proposal.

-- Mitch Turitz

>1.      Minimal level
>        a. Serial Record Core Elements are present, as
>appropriate to the item (see IVB1c).
>        b. Name headings are checked in NAF.  If present,
>authorized heading is used.  If not, heading is constructed
>according to AACR2, but NACO authority record need not be
>submitted to NAF.
>        c. Subject headings are not required in new records.  In
>adapted records, subject headings are left as found.
>        d. Classification is not required.
>
  _^_                                                 _^_
( ___ )-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-( ___ )
 |   |                                               |   |
 |   |     Mitch Turitz, Serials Librarian           |   |
 |   |     San Francisco State University Library    |   |
 |   |     Internet: turitz@sfsu.edu                 |   |
 |   |                                               |   |
( ___ )-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-==-( ___ )
   V                                                   V
  "Talent is a flame.  Genius is a fire." - BERN WILLIAMS