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OLAC NEWSLETTER
Volume 19, Number 2
June, 1999





TABLE OF CONTENTS



FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE PRESIDENT

OLAC ELECTIONS RESULTS DELAYED

TREASURER'S REPORT

OLAC MILLENNIUM COMMITTEE

ALA ANNUAL CONFERENCE AV MEETINGS

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW





FROM THE EDITOR
Kay Johnson



Since we are between conferences, this issue of the newsletter is thinner than usual because of a lack of conference reports and OLAC meeting minutes Not to worry, though; there is still plenty going on in the world of AV cataloging. Most notably, OLAC members have been recognized on the national scene for their excellence. Nancy Olson, one of OLAC's founders and someone who continues to be active in OLAC after retirement has won cataloging's highest honor - the Margaret Mann Citation. Richard Baumgarten, OLAC's treasurer, has been appointed to the Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee, an international board of experts in DDC. Sue Neumeister has received a high honor in New York, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship. See p. 12-14 of this issue for more details.

The OLAC Millennium Committee has formed in the past month and will be examining OLAC's purposes, objectives, name and logo. Is OLAC ready for the 21st century? The committee welcomes your comments (see p. 6-8).

You will want to see the "Everything You Always Wanted to Know..." column. It includes discussion on determining titles, the 006, type code, DVDs, recycling and labeling.

If you are attending the ALA Annual Conference, see the list of meetings of interest to AV catalogers on p. 9-11.

Virginia Berringer's last "From the President" column is in this issue. Thanks, Virginia, for keeping us informed about OLAC meetings, conferences and other OLAC matters for the past year.

I'll see you in New Orleans!

**DEADLINE FOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE SEPTEMBER
OLAC NEWSLETTER IS AUGUST 1, 1999 **

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FROM THE PRESIDENT
Virginia Berringer

It looks like spring is finally here, and the dreadful winter storms behind us. Unfortunately, the spring storms are again terrorizing parts of the country. I hope all of you in the stricken areas are safe as are all your friends and families. Spring also means gearing up for ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans, already so impossibly close, and the "to do" list from Midwinter still has more "do" than "done."

I mentioned in my last column that the Board had recommended changing the times of our meetings at ALA. As a result, the Membership meeting will be held on Saturday evening, with the Board meeting on Saturday afternoon. The CAPC meeting will still be held on Friday evening, but will start at 7:30 instead of 8:00. Sunday evening will then be open so our NACO participants can attend the PCC Members Discussion Group meeting.

This has been an eventful year, and there are plenty of exciting things to come. The Charlotte conference was a big success, and Cathy Gerhart and her committee are hard at work on the 2000 OLAC conference in Seattle. You'll be hearing much more on that as the date gets closer and closer. I'm sure it will be a great conference and I am looking forward to a visit to the Pacific Northwest. Keep in mind, if you've never been to an OLAC conference before, that you will be eligible to apply for the OLAC Conference Scholarship in 2000. Watch future newsletters for full details.

I would like to bring to your attention the great honor bestowed upon one of our members. Nancy Olson, who was instrumental in the founding of OLAC, and has provided leadership in cataloging nonprint materials for many years, will receive the 1999 Margaret Mann Citation at ALA in New Orleans. The award is presented by the ALCTS Cataloging and Classification Section and recognizes outstanding professional achievement in cataloging or classification.

The arrival of spring and the approach of ALA also means that this will be the last column I'll be addressing to you as president of OLAC. At the membership meeting in New Orleans, I'll be passing the gavel on to Mike Esman, and the winners of the 1999 OLAC elections will be taking their places on the Board.

Before I leave office (but never OLAC!!!) I want to express my appreciation to the wonderful work of the OLAC Board this year. Many thanks to Sue Neumeister, who knew the answers to questions I didn't even know I had, and to Richard Baumgarten, whose expertise with data kept our records straight, and Meredith Horan, who, as secretary, helped my faulty memory keep things in some semblance of order. Cathy Gerhart, wearing her other hat as chair of CAPC, Ann Caldwell, our NACO funnel chair, and Mike Esman, vice president/president-elect gave all made valuable contributions to the success of OLAC in 1998/99. Richard Harwood, who as past-past president chaired the elections committee, provided us with a slate of candidates for this year's election, insuring the continuation of OLAC and its mission.

OLAC's mission, logo, name, etc. are the assignment of the new Millennium Committee. Co-chaired by Kay Johnson and Bobby Ferguson, this committee will look at OLAC's future and make recommendations based on their discussions. Sheila Smyth, Rebecca Lubas, Marianne Gelbert, Scott Markham, Judy Gummere, Howard L. Pitts and Barbara R. Tysinger have also been named to this committee.

Before I sign this last "From the President" column, Kay, I want to thank you for all your patience and support. Editing the newsletter is a big job, and dealing with input from a large number of people, (some of whom are not very good with deadlines - who me???) takes a very special person. Thanks for all your hard work.



OLAC ELECTION RESULTS DELAYED

The OLAC election voting deadline falls after deadline for the June Newsletter. Election results will be posted on the OLAC discussion group, OLAC-List, around the first week of June and posted in the September OLAC Newsletter.

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TREASURER'S REPORT


Third Quarter
Through March 31, 1999
Richard Baumgarten, Treasurer

3rd Quarter

Year-To-Date

OPENING BALANCE           

          $15,550.95

          $15,912.00

INCOME
      Memberships

$216.00

$3,017.00

      Dividends

$55.12

$417.49

      Royalties

$136.68

$134.68

Total

$407.80

$9,365.12

EXPENSES
      ALA

 

$180.00

      Board Dinner

$320.00

$601.00

      Stipends

$1,000.00

$2,150.00

      Account Fees

 

 

            Annual Fee

 

$80.00

            Other Fees

$11.03

$231.63

      Postage and Printing

$1,472.00

$5,052.89

      Photocopying & Phone

$806.77

$806.77

      Travel

 

$3,662.40

Total

$3,609.80

$12,928.17

CLOSING BALANCE

$12,348.95



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INTRODUCING THE OLAC MILLENNIUM COMMITTEE

The OLAC Millennium Committee wants your ideas! The Committee's charge is to examine OLAC's purposes, objectives, name, and logo by researching the literature and trends in cataloging audiovisual resources and polling the OLAC membership. The committee's recommendations will be presented for the Board's approval at the ALA Midwinter 2000 meeting. If any changes are recommended, a ballot to amend the bylaws will be sent to the membership in conjunction with the regular ballot for officers that year. The outcome of the election will be announced at the OLAC Conference in 2000.

The newly formed committee is in the process of developing a time line to follow. Progress reports and calls for OLAC members' input will be posted on OLAC's electronic discussion group, OLAC-List, as well as in the OLAC Newsletter.

To subscribe to OLAC-list, send a message to:

LISTSERV@LISTSERV.ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU

that reads:
SUBSCRIBE OLAC-LIST [your name]

Do not add a signature file or type anything in the subject line. You should get a response within a day.

The names and contact information of the OLAC Millennium Committee are below. Do not hesitate to get in touch with any of the committee members with your ideas, opinions, questions and any other comments regarding OLAC's purposes, objectives, name and logo.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Bobby Ferguson (Co-chair)
East Baton Rouge Parish Library
7711 Goodwood Blvd.
Baton Rouge LA 70806
Phone: (225) 231-3717
Fax: (225) 231-3788
email: bobbyf@CLSN3244.ebr.lib.1a.us
Works 8:00-5:00 M-F (Central daylight)

Kay G. Johnson (Co-chair)
University of Tennessee
326 Hodges Library
Knoxville, TN 37996-1000
Phone: (423) 974-6696
Fax: (423) 974-0551
email: johnsonk@utk.edu
Works 7:00-5:00 (or 6:00) Mon. thru Thurs.

Marianne Gelbert
Senior Librarian
Ocean County Library
101 Washington St.
Toms River, New Jersey 08753
Phone: (732)-349-6200, ext. 823
Fax: (732) 736 0272
Works from 7:30-3:00 MWThF and 1-9 on Tues.

Judy Gummere
Lake Forest Library
Lake Forest Illinois 60045
Phone: (847) 615-4372
email: gummere@lfl.alibrary.com

Rebecca L. Lubas
(New work address is effective July 6th, 1999)
Bibliographic Access Services
MIT Libraries
77 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge MA 02139
(617) 253-0654
new email address will be forthcoming

Scott Markham
Librarian
Catalog/Processing Department
Minneapolis Public Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Phone: (612) 630-6480
Fax: (612) 630-6210
email: scottcat@mninter.net

Howard L. Pitts
Cataloging/Processing Supervisor
Greenville County Library
300 College Street
Greenville, South Carolina 29601-2086
Phone: (864) 242-500, ext. 265
Fax: (864) 235-8375
email: hpitts@InfoAve.Net

Sheila Smyth
Lorette Wilmot Library
Nazareth College of Rochester
4245 East Ave.
PO. Box 18950
Rochester, NY 14618-0950
Phone: 716-389-2126 (Work)
(716) 381-0898 (Home)
(716) 248-8766 (Fax)
email: sasmyth@naz.edu
Works part-time

Barbara R. Tysinger
Bibliographic Access Librarian
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
CB#7585
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7585
Phone: (919) 966-0949
Fax: (919) 966-1537
email: Barbara_Tysinger@unc.edu

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1999 ALA ANNUAL CONFERENCE MEETINGS OF INTEREST TO AV CATALOGERS


Dates are taken from preliminary conference schedules. Please confirm all dates, times and locations in the final conference program. This list is not intended to be comprehensive; OLAC meetings and the major cataloging meetings are listed as well as AV meetings of long-standing or current popular interest.

OLAC MEETINGS
Cataloging Policy Committee
Friday, 6/25/99, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel - Gr. Salon 9

Executive Board Meeting
Saturday, 6/26/99, 2:00-5:30 p.m.
Radisson Hotel - Magnolia

Membership Meeting
Saturday, 6/26/99, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Radisson Hotel - Magnolia
ALA MEETINGS
Media Resources Committee
Sunday, 6/27/99, 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Ernest M. Morial Convention Center - 264
Tuesday, 6/29/99, 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Ernest M. Morial Convention Center - R04

Media Resources Committee. Standards Subcommittee
Monday, 6/28/99, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Ernest M. Morial Convention Center - 348

CC:DA
Saturday, 6/26/99, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Radisson Hotel - Grand Ballroom A
Monday, 6/28/99, 8:00 a.m.-noon
Radisson Hotel - Grand Ballroom A

CC:DA Task Force on ISBD (ER)
Sunday, 6/27/99,2:00-4:00 p.m.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel - Rosedown

CC:DA Task Force on Metadata
Sunday, 6/27/99, 8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Fairmont Hotel - Bayou 11

CC:DA Task Force on Rule 0.24
Friday, 6/25/99,2:00-4:00 p.m.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel - Rosedown

CC:DA Task Force on the VRA Core Categories
Saturday, 6/26/99, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sheraton New Orleans - Pontcha. B

MARBI
Saturday, 6/26/99, 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.
Hotel Intercontinental - Pontalba
Sunday, 6/27/99 2:00-5:30 p.m.
Hotel Intercontinental - Pelican I
Monday, 6/28/99, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Hotel Intercontinental - Pontalba

Computer Files Discussion Group
Saturday, 6/26/99, 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Ernest M. Morial Convention Center - 270

Electronic Communications Committee
Monday, 6/28/99, 8:30-1 1:00 a.m.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel - Trafalgar

Networked Resources & Metadata Committee
Friday, 6/25/99, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Ernest M. Morial Convention Center - 353

Saturday, 6/26/99, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fairmont Hotel - Bayou 11

Networked Resources & Metadata Committee. Security and the Digital Library: A look at Authentication and Authorization Issues
Sunday, 6/27/99, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Ernest M. Morial Convention Center - 228-230

Map Cataloging Discussion Group
Sunday, 6/27/99, 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Ernest M. Morial Convention Center - 216

Map Cataloging & Classification Committee
Sunday, 6/27/99, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Ernest M. Morial Convention Center - 216

Committee to Study Serials Cataloging
Saturday, 6/26/99, 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel - Gr. Salon 22
Monday, 6/28/99,2:00-4:00 p.m.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel - Gr. Salon 15

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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Barbara Vaughan, Column Editor



OLSON IS MARGARET MANN CITATION RECIPIENT

Nancy B. Olson, Cataloging Librarian, Library Services and Information Technology, Minnesota State University, Mankato, is the recipient of the 1999 Margaret Mann Citation presented by the Cataloging and Classification Section of the American Library Association.

The award, a citation and a $2,000 scholarship, donated in the recipient's honor by OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. to the library school of the winner's choice, recognizes outstanding professional achievement in cataloging or classification either through publication of significant professional literature, participation in professional cataloging associations, demonstrated excellence in teaching cataloging, or valuable contributions to practice in individual libraries.

"The Margaret Mann Citation Committee is pleased to award the Citation to Nancy Olson for her outstanding leadership and numerous contributions to the advancement of cataloging. As one of the world's most respected and admired experts in the cataloging of audiovisual and electronic resources, Nancy Olson has been instrumental in guiding the evolution and promoting the adoption of standardized cataloging for these formats," said Eric Childress, chair of the Margaret Mann Citation Committee. "Her leadership in professional groups, extensive writing (including authorship of several standard texts on the cataloging of audiovisual and electronic resources in use worldwide), gifted teaching of cataloging, and valued contributions to Minnesota State University, Mankato, comprise a career that mirrors the outstanding professional career of Margaret Mann, the citation's namesake. Nancy Olson has been a mentor and an inspiration to audiovisual materials catalogers everywhere."

An author, teacher, and regular presenter at professional conferences, Professor Olson has been recognized with numerous awards including the ALA Esther J. Piercy Award in 1980 for her contributions to technical services, a certificate of merit from the Minnesota Library Association in 1980, serving as a Visiting Distinguished Scholar at OCLC in 1982-83, a special Founders Award from the OrOnlineudiovisual Catalogers, Inc. (OLAC) in 1986, and a Faculty Merit Award from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1989. Published extensively in the library professional literature, Olson is the founder of the Soldier Creek Press, Lake Crystal, Minnesota, a publisher known worldwide for its excellent library cataloging manuals. Among her publications are several which are widely regarded as standard works in the field, including: Audiovisual Materials Glossary (Dublin, Ohio: OCLC, 1988); Cataloging of Audiovisual Materials and Other Special Materials: a Manual Based on AACR2. 4th ed. (DeKalb, Illinois: Minnesota Scholarly Press, 1998), Cataloging Internet Resources: a Manual and Practical Guide. 2nd ed. (Dublin, Ohio: OCLC, 1997). Olson has also served as adjunct faculty member and guest lecturer in schools of library and information studies throughout the United States and its territories.

Nancy Olson has a Masters of Science (Curriculum and Instruction, Library Science) and Education Specialist certificates from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Bachelor of Science degrees in chemical technology and education from Iowa State University.




RICHARD BAUMGARTEN APPOINTED TO DEWEY EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Richard Baumgarten, cataloger at Johnson County library in Overland Park, Kansas, has been appointed to the Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee for a six-year term. He succeeds Peter J. Paulson, who retired in December 1998.

Richard is an active member of the American Library Association (ALA); Online Audiovisual Catalogers, where he serves as treasurer; and Music OCLC Users Group.

IhTheditorial Policy Committee is an international board that includes representatives from OCLC Forest Press, the American Library Association, the Library of Congress and the Library Association (UK). The committee works with the editors of the Dewey Decimal Classification and advises OCLC Forest Press on matters relating to the general development of the classification. The committee's 10 members include public, special and academic librarians, and library educators.

OCLC Forest Press, a division of OCLC Online Computer Library Center since 1988, publishes the Dewey Decimal Classification and a variety of related materials to help librarians and library users keep pace with knowledge <http://www.oclc.org/fp/>.




NEUMEISTER WINS AWARD

Sue Neumeister has received the SUNY Chancellors Award for Excellence in librarianship. She is the head of Bibliographic Control at the University At Buffalo Libraries. It comes as no surprise to the OLAC membership that Sue has won this high honor. She is the OLAC electronic discussion list owner, OLAC home page manager, former president of OLAC (1997-1998), OLAC Award winner (1996) and was Editor-In-Chief of the OLAC Newsletter (1992-1996).




NEW CODING FOR FORM SUBDIVISIONS NOW IN EFFECT

On February 17, 1999, library of Congress started to use the new coding for form subdivisions ($v) in subject headings. It is OCOCLC'solicy that any current cataloging entered in WorldCat (the OCLC Online Union Catalog) reflect LC practice as to tagging and coding. In other words, libraries entering new ierecordshat have form subdivisions should be using the new coding. If local systems can not handle the new $v, users should enter the information with the correct coding, add the record to WorldCat by doing the update command, and then edit the record for local practices.

Libraries entering records for retrospective conversion projects may continue to use the old coding if it is not clear that the subdivision represents a form or a topic. OCLC does not require that users change the older $x coding to $v when doing copy cataloging. Each hblibraryill need to decide at what rate they will adapt their existing catalogs. OCLC is investigating doing a conversion of older WorldCat records to the new coding practice; however, no schedule has been set for this project.

Guidelines in the online version of Bibliographic Formats and Standards will be updated to reflect this change. Specifically, restrictions in the 600, 610, 611, 630, 650 and 651 fields saying not to use the $v are no longer applicable. Corrections to the printed version will fofollows part of the regular update cycle.

--Linda Gabel
Cataloging Services Section, OCLC




MCJOURNAL CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS

The editors of MCJournal: The Journal of Academic Media Librarianship are issuing a call for contributors to the next issue. MCJournal is an electronic, peer-reviewed journal providing both practical and scholarly information on issues concerning academic media librarianship. Examples of topics would include (but are not limited to): a/v production, collection development, cataloging, storage and preservation of materials, media center management, copyright, and emerging technologies. We encourage authors to be creative and include video and audio files when appropriate in their manuscripts.

Included in the scope of the journal as well are annotated mediagraphies, annotated web lists and bibliographies on media topics, and conference reports.

Manuscripts are peer reviewed using a double masked review process. Copyrights to articles are retained by the authors. MCJournal is indexed in Library Literature.

DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE IS AUGUST 30, 1999.

MCJournal may be accessed via the World Wide Web at the following URL: http://wings.buffalo.edu/publications/mcjrnl/
Submit manuscripts via e-mail to:
Lori WiWidzinskiEditor at
widz@acsu.buffalo.edu
OR Terrence McCormack, Associate Editor at
cormack@acsu.buffalo.edu
Guidelines for Authors are available on the MCJournal Web site at http://wings.buffalo.edu/publications/mcjrnl/author.html

The editors would be happy to discuss any ideas for articles. They may be reached via the e-mail addresses listed above.
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EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT AV CATALOGING ... PLEASE ASK!
Nancy B. Olson


I've been frantic the past few months trying to catalog all the new AV stuff that has been coming in (including lots of puppets) and finish projects that I'd planned to do sometime during the next three years, and work on error reports. I've gone through 76,000 lines of 650/651 errors that the system couldn't handle and figured out what was wrong and written in what each should be (others have done most of the online work from that point). I've taken every reference set of scores (the "monuments") cataloged as so-and-so's works and cataloged them volume by volume, raising the title count in that holding library from 1,683 to 2,433. I've set up eleven new holding libraries and changed bibliographic records and related item records as needed - for most of these, the physical items were already in a separate sequence and so labeled, but nothing in the online catalog told the patrons where the items were - the most confusing were three sequences of maps (general, oversize, and US topographic series) with nothing in the catalog display telling the patron which sequence of map cases housed the map in question; the cases weren't labeled either. I've also gone through printouts of 8,500 bibliographic records for maps, fixing the call number format as needed (remember all the different ways we had to input map call numbers to make them "stack" correctly on cards? Or are most of you too young ever to have dealt with that?) It is satisfying to get these projects done.

As of June 22, 1 will no longer be at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and I will no longer have my current email address. I will have Internet access at home, but my current computer just died, so I have to get a new computer, and another phone line, and new Internet service. Meanwhile you can write me at PO box 734, Lake Crystal, MN 56055 (town is too small to have mail delivery - go to post office each day to get mail). Phone 507-726-2985 or email my oldest son: abb@ic.mankato.mn.us

006 Searching Problems and Solutions

I tried to locate OCLC copy for a new CD-ROM the other day using a "fin" command, including the format qualifier for computer file. Nothing. I tried it without the format qualifier and got a group display - wading through that I found copy, done on type "a" format with an 006 for computer files.

I sent off an email to Jay Weitz and Glenn Patton asking why it didn't come up on the find search with the format qualifier from MARC field 006.

Jay told me that keyword searching is more of a reference function and the implementation of that type of searching predates the implementation of field 006. Glenn added the information that format qualifiers used with derived and numeric searches use 006 values in building indexes, but keyword searches include only the Type and BLvl values in bubuildingndexes. He goes on to say that "Later this year (as a result of the implementation of FirstSearch 5.0 and the rebuilding of keyword indexes), the 006 values will also be used in building the indexes that support format qualifiers for keyword searches."

Type Code

A recent email asked if anyone could "shed light on the relationship between the general material designation in the 245 and the fixed field value for Type" - the questioner had a CD-ROM of National Geographic maps, and had found an OCLC bibliographic record done on the Type "m" workform with the GMD interactive multimedia. And the questioner wanted their local catalog to display an identifier of "map" in index listings.

A loaded question.

There used to be such a relationship - each Type code represented a certain GMD or group of GMGMDs Then someone decided the Type code should reflect the content of the item being cataloged rather than its physical form, and MARBI approved the change. So you will find a variety of records in OCLC and other databases, done the earlier way, the current way, or somewhere in between.

As a map item, this should be on the Type "e" workform with an 007 for maps and an 006 and 007 for computer files, and cataloged using a combination of rules from the chapter for computer files and the chapter for maps. If it is an item of interactive multimedia it could carry that GMD. If the local system generates an index label from the Type code, it will say "map."

I thought the years of struggle to develop an integrated MARC format, the last phase of which introduced MARC field 006, took cacaref these problems. We cataloged the item according to the appropriate chapters, used the workform for the appropriate physical form, and added 006 fields as necessary to bring out serial aspects and any other aspects such as maps, or music, or whatever. But all of a sudden those years of work were turned upside down, first with maps, then serials, now all the emphasis placed on content. Maybe it is good I am retiring.

Titles

Several recent emails to me, and some discussion on Autocat, raised questions again about determining the title of an item. Deciding what the title is for any item of audiovisual or special material is, sometimes, the most difficult decision to be made in cataloging that item. In every case, go to the chapter for the physical form of the material and read the rule for chief source of information. if you have access to the first choice on the list, use the title listed there-, if not, go down the list. Make 246 entries for other forms of the title used in field 245. Video producers are not good about consistent titles; some of them do tend to change the title slightly (or greatly) from place to place on the item - but look at the rule for chief source and follow it. I take videos requiring original cataloging home where I can view the credits in comfort (a little YoYorkieucked in on each side of me), going back and forth as much as necessary to transcribe needed information and get information for a susummary These are usually educational videos with limited distribution, or locally-produced videos. For videos with copy, a technician views each video for quality, at the same time comparing information to the OCLC printout I have included; when the video comes back to me I finish the cataloging process. This is where we also pick up clisn't-captioning that isnl always marked on the spine or back of the box. in other words, I take more time and put more effort into doing the original cataloging than the copy cataloging - but provide access to all titles encountered in either case.

With computer files, we have the option to take the title from the disc label or other sources and note that source in the bibliographic description. I do not run, or attempt to run, any computer file for cataloging - if I ddon'tfind copy on OCLC, I go with the information on the label or on the packaging. To me this is the obvious title that patrons are likely to remember and that advertisers are likely to use. I ddon'tlike to keep anything in cataloging any longer than I have to - I want to get it to the patrons as soon as possible after it is received. So, for most things, I try to do simple, but thorough, cataloging ... unless the item is Minnesota-onlyted and needs original cataloging - then I go to whatever lengths are necessary to provide as much access as is possible.

Labels and Processing (Again)

Questions to me and questions on the lists continue about labels and/or processing of CDs and CD-ROMs (and do you get as upset as I by those who ddon't/can't differentiate between the two)? One question I had recently asked on which side to place the label. Remember the shiny side is the side that is read by the laser device. NOTHING goes there - it would cover the data. The safest solution is to write on the tiny clear inner circle with a Sharpie brand permanent marking pen; minimal information such as call number, or barcode, or last digits of barcode. We are now using the full-circle tattletale made by 3M that completely covers the printed side of the item, but ordy using it on things that will become obsolete in the foreseeable future, and only on things we have purchased, as it costs about $1.00 per circle. It does set off the sensor in our gate, even when the item is buried deep in a back pack.

Some DVDs are two-sided, so no labels or tattletape are placed anywhere on these.

For the circulating software collection, we put the CD-ROM in its plastic case into a pambinder with double-faced tape - to make it big enough not to get lost on the shelf, and to provide surface for all the labels, date due slips, etc. The insert from the back of the plastic case is removed and pasted inside the front cover of the pambinder if it has useful information. Those interactive multimedia packages that have one little plastic case with CD-ROMs inside one big flimsy package with lots of pictures now go into white three ring binders that have clear plastic fastened outside - the original flimsy package is cut up and parts inserted on the front, back, and spine of the new binder. The CD-ROMs aTe areerted in three-hole punched plastic pages designed for this, and any booklet is inserted in the page or in another larger-pocket page. Looks good, retains all package information, and sturdy to shelve.

Music CDs are shelved as they arrive, with a teeny accession number label on the spine and barcode on upper left of front.

Sound or Silent

I answered an Autocat question about a silent movie with a synchronized musical score, suggesting MARC field 300 subfield "b" say "sd." and a note be added:
Silent film with organ accompaniment.
or whatever is appropriate. A response suggested including, if the information was available, the name of the organist "as some of those old-time theater organists were really extraordinary and certainly worthy of note in and of themselves." Good point.

DVDs

DVDs can carry information on both sides. One side may be a continuation of the other, or it may be another version of the same information. In any case, you won't want to cover the information with any labels.

A survey of Autocat users by Craig Dowski provided information that he summarized on April 24, 1999: Most librlibrariesing video on DVD are cataloging them as videos, using field 538 for the information "DVD format." Another person noted that one side could carry the film in a standard format, with the widescreen format on the other side.

Walt Crawford writes about CD-ROMs and DVDs and related technology in the May American Libraries (Bits is Bits: Pitfalls in Digital Reformating, p. 47-49) and his article is followed by an equally-important one by Stephen Sottong (Don't Power Up That E-book just Yet, p. 50-53). Both point out problems with these new formats including unknowns about permanence of the data. Originally advertised as permanent storage media, and as lasting for at least 100 years, it is now known they are "far less durable than originally expected. Like magnetic media, their data life spans deteriorate with increased temperature and humidity, and they are susceptible to air pollution and damage handling ... DVD-ROMS, which have eight times the density of CD-ROMS, can be expected to have an even shorter data life span [than the 25 years claimed by manufacturers for CD-ROMs]." (Sottong, p. 51).

New Format

I had some questions about the Sony magnetic/optical disc, a disc inside a cartridge, that comes in 3 1/2 in. and 6 in. sizes. The smaller disc can be played on equipment put out by several manufacturers, but the larger disc can be played only on a Sony machine. The person suggested using the term "sound disc cartridge" for these and I agreed this seemed reasonable. I emailed Jay Weitz on this one and he agreed as well.

MARC field 538 would have to specify playback equipment as appropriate. I haven't seen any of these - yet. You notice I used the spelling "disc" though one could get cute with this.

Uses For Old CDs, CD-ROMs

Several times recently the topic of recycling compact discs and/or CD-ROMs has arisen on some of the lists. I haven't saved all the answers, but have been surprised at the creativity. Some that I know would work are using them for Christmas tree decorations (large trees, of course), and hanging them in cherry trees to keep the birds from eating the fruit. Shiny coasters for glasses of iced tea (or other beverages). Targets like "day pigeons." Craft uses. And one person asked for them to give to Native Americans who use them in their costumes - attaching feathers to them for a round decoration.

Another Workshop

I will also be teaching my standard "CataCatalogingcial Materials" workshop here at Minnesota State University, Mankato, this fall. It will be held three weekends on a Friday evening, all day Saturday, most of Sunday pattern: Oct. 8-10, 22-24, Nov. 2-14. Call Vicky Hudson at 507-389-1965 vickyhudson@mankato.msus.edu for more information.

New Orleans

I hope we have a well-attended question-and-answer session in New Orleans - Midwinter was, I believe, the first time since about 1980 that it wasn't held. See you there!

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