[1228] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
LCC in machine-readable form
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU ((Rebecca Guenther))
Wed Sep 16 13:17:35 1992
Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1992 12:12:35 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
From: "(Rebecca Guenther)" <rgue@seq1.loc.gov>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
The Library of Congress' Network Development and MARC Standards
Office sent a query to three discussion lists concerning the
potential uses for Library of Congress Classification in machine-
readable form. The message was sent to the following lists on July
10, 1992: USMARC-L, PACS-L, AUTOCAT. Below is a summary of
responses to the original message, which asked how classification
data in the USMARC classification format is likely to be used.
1. The most interest was generated from the possibility of
incorporating an electronic LCC at the catalogers' workstation and
particularly the ability for wide distribution of timely updates.
Other advantages cited were:
- savings of space and money over the numerous printed
volumes (particularly the Gale edition, which is kept up to
date but is expensive)
- savings of time for cataloger to have information at the
workstation
- more accuracy in assigning classification numbers because
of potential for machine-assisted classification and for
automatically inserting classification numbers taken from a
classification authority file into a bibliographic record
2. Possibilities for linking classification to bibliographic and
name/subject authority files:
- validation of assigned classification numbers would be
useful
- global changes of bibliographic files when classification
changes
- reclassification efforts (especially in Law)
- links to subject headings to facilitate catalogers' work
(suggest subject headings to be used; allow for more
consistency)
3. Online classification could provide expanded classification
numbers (e.g., synthesized numbers made from applying tables; full
classification numbers for individual authors, artists, etc. where
these have previously not been published in LCC.
4. Enhancement of subject access, including expanded index terms
(e.g., foreign language terms).
5. Online classification could facilitate online shelflisting.
6. A closer correlation between LCC and name/subject headings
could be possible.
7. Libraries using local classification schemes may be encouraged
to convert to LCC.
Respondents on the whole were very enthusiastic about the
possibilities and encouraged LC to pursue this effort as soon as
possible. Several members of the law library community who saw the
Minaret demonstration at AALL were most interested in any potential
products.
The Library of Congress has formed a technical committee to
investigate the conversion of the Library of Congress
Classification into machine-readable form. Results of that effort
will be communicated in the future.
Rebecca Guenther
Library of Congress
Network Development and MARC Standards Office
rgue@seq1.loc.gov
