Program for Cooperative Cataloging: BIBCO Records: Analysis of Quality

Abstract

The Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) is an international program that brings together libraries that wish to participate in the creation and sharing of bibliographic records. These high quality records can be used by any library around the world without additional modification or change. Members of the cooperative adhere to a set of standards and practices that help eliminate extensive editing of records by participant libraries, thus allowing libraries to reduce the cost of cataloging. Even though the records submitted to the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) database by PCC member institutions adhere to the established standards, some libraries continue to verify the quality of the access points in these records. Many libraries outsource this process to outside vendors who automatically check these records against the Library of Congress (LC) Authority File. The purpose of this study is to examine the quality of the PCC records in light of the changes that were made by an authority control vendor. The author will analyze the changes made by the vendor to the PCC records and explain the reasons for those changes.

KEYWORDS:

• cataloging
• BIBCO
• Program for Cooperative Cataloging
• quality of cataloging
• quality analysis

Notes

1. PCC Web site. http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/ (accessed November 23, 2009).

2. BIBCO Web site. http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/bibco/bibcopara.html (accessed November 23, 2009).

3. Backstage Library Works Web site. http://www.bslw.com/authority_control.html(accessed November 23, 2009).

4. Carol Mandel, “Cooperative Cataloging: Models, Issues, Prospects,” Advances in Librarianship 16 (1992): 33–82.

5. PCC web site. http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/ (accessed November 23, 2009).

6. Robert E. Wolverton, “Becoming an Authority on Authority Control: An Annotated Bibliography of Resources,” Library Resources & Technical Services 50, no. 1 (2006): 31–41.

7. J. J. Riemer and K. Morgenroth, “Hang Together or Hang Separately: The Cooperative Authority Work Component of NACO,” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 17, no. 3–4 (1993): 127–161.

8. Jennifer B. Bowen, “Creating a Culture of Cooperation.” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 26, no. 3 (December 31, 1998): 73–85.

9. Anthony R. D. Franks and Ana Cristán, “International Cooperation in the Program for Cooperative Cataloging: Present and Prospects.” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 30, no. 4 (2000): 37.

10. The PCC Core Records Web site. http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/bibco/coreintro.html (accessed November 23, 2009).

11. S. E. Thomas, “The Core Bibliographic Record and the Program for Cooperative Cataloging,” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 21, no. 3–4 (1996): 91–108.

12. Winslow Lundy, “Use and Perception of the DCRB Core Standard.” Library Resources & Technical Services 47, no. 1 (January 2003): 16–27.

13. Joan E. Schuitema, “Demystifying Core Records in Today's Changing Catalogs,” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 26, no. 3 (December 31, 1998): 57–71.

14. Rita L. H. Czeck, Elizabeth Icenhower, and Charlene Kellsey, “PCC Core Records Versus PCC Full Records: Differences in Access?” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 29, no. 3 (2000): 81–92

15. John D. Byrum Jr., “NACO: A Cooperative Model for Building and Maintaining a Shared Name Authority Database,” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 38, no. 3–4 (2004): 237–249.

16. Dustin P. Larmore, “A New Kid on the Block: The Start of a NACO Funnel Project and What Is Needed to Start Your Own,” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 42, no. 2 (2006): 75–81.

17. Betsy Simpson, and Priscilla Williams, “Growing a NACO Program: Ingredients for Success.” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 40, no. 1 (2005): 123–132.

18. Carol G. Hixson and William A. Garrison, “The Program for Cooperative Cataloging and Training for Catalogers,” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 34, no. 3 (2002): 355.

19. Karen S. Calhoun, and Christian M. Boissonnas, “BIBCO: A Winning Proposition for Library Users and Staff,” Library Acquisitions 22, no. 3 (1998): 251–255.

20. Ruth C. Carter, “Cooperative Cataloging.” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 30, no. 4 (2000): 1.

21. David Bade, “The Perfect Bibliographic Record: Platonic Ideal, Rhetorical Strategy or Nonsense,” Cataloging & Classification Quarterly 46, no. 1 (2008): 109–133.

22. OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards-LC Control Number. http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/0xx/010.shtm

23. See “Christion fiction” in the OCLC record numbers 10385060 and “Science ficton” in the 6774710).

24. One record “Standard Publishing Company” has two possibilities, Standard Publishing Co. (Quincy, Mass) and Standard Publishing Company (Cincinnati, Ohio). Based on the OCLC record cited, the Cincinnati, Ohio entry is the correct one (OCLC record number (320363906). Another heading with a problem was the “American Academy of Pediatrics. $b Section on Home Care.” “American Academy of Pediatrics” is in the AF, but $b “Section on Home Care” is not; however, there is $b “Section on Home Health Care” in the AF. It is possible that the word “Health” was accidentally omitted from the heading. The third heading that was a problem is “Universidad de los Andes (Bogota, Columbia). $b Facultad de Ciencas Sociates. $b Departamento de Languajes y Estudios Socioculturales.” This heading was in the AF but the last $b “Departamento de Languajes y Estudios Socioculturales” was not (OCLC record number 220868279). The fourth heading, “Shanxi Sheng (China). $b Guo tu zi yuan ting” had not been established in the AF. However, “Shaanxi Sheng (China)” was found in the AF while browsing. This heading needs more investigation by an expert cataloger to determine the correct form of the name (OCLC record number 60635282).