[Evergreen-catalogers] should we spend money on authority control?

Wed Oct 27 10:40:42 EDT 2021

PINES does have a vendor that does authority work. However, I believe it is
suspended because of issues with Evergreen authority control. I am not the
lead on this so I am not certain of all the issues. I do know that headings
don't update properly and that duplicates are created.

I would also like to see cross referencing in all searches and not just
browse.

I think there is value in updating headings regularly, particular since LC
is beginning to make changes to update outdated, offensive, and inaccurate
headings. While glacially slow, they are making some changes (Two examples:
Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945 changed to Forced removal and
internment, 1942-1945  for Japanese -- Canada, Japanese American, etc.  And
Tulsa Race Riot to Tulsa Race Massacre)

While we have not done a complete formal document, the cataloging interest
group and catalogers in general have communicated to developers what we
need in an authority file. We did have a running list some years ago on our
wiki and have commented extensively in conference sessions about authority
control in Evergreen. There are also a number of bug reports. All of which
is not a substitute for development specifications but we haven't been
silent about the issues we see and what we need.

I think the lack of effective and robust authority control prevents many
libraries from choosing Evergreen as their ILS, particularly large
academics and research institutions.

J. Elaine Hardy, PINES and Collaborative Projects Manager
------------------------------

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On Wed, Oct 27, 2021 at 8:42 AM Kate Coleman via Evergreen-catalogers <
evergreen-catalogers at list.evergreen-ils.org> wrote:

> That's a great suggestion, Rogan. I'll bring it up to the Cataloging group
> and see if we can get the ball rolling.
>
> Non-thread topic, I love Sanderson and this series has been on my TBR list
> for ages. I'm an audiobook reader, though, and I don't like the narrator of
> this series, so I'm finally making a point to reading actual words. LOL
> Love me some epic fantasy!
>
>
> Kate Coleman, MLIS
> Technical Services Manager, Jefferson County Library
> Missouri Evergreen Consortium
> 5678 State Rd. PP
> High Ridge, MO 63049
> 636-677-8689
> Fax: 636--677-1769
> kcoleman at jeffcolib.org
>
> Currently Reading
> <https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/5960108?utm_medium=reading_link&utm_source=email_signature>
> [image: Book Cover]
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> [image: Goodreads Logo]
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>
>
> On Wed, Oct 27, 2021 at 7:31 AM Rogan Hamby <rogan.hamby at equinoxoli.org>
> wrote:
>
>> This is an area we could definitely use squeaky wheels in, including
>> documenting in launchpad desired behaviors.  Maybe this is something the
>> cataloging working group would want to take up?  If the desired end results
>> were well documented that would provide a foundation for an institution
>> that wanted to push for it.
>>
>> Also, on a non-thread related topic I noticed in your signature that
>> you're reading Way of Kings.  I hope you enjoy it, I have really enjoyed
>> the whole series to date.
>>
>> On Wed, Oct 27, 2021 at 8:18 AM Kate Coleman via Evergreen-catalogers <
>> evergreen-catalogers at list.evergreen-ils.org> wrote:
>>
>>> I agree with Mary. While our consortium does use an authority management
>>> company, I wish Evergreen authority capabilities were better. Validation
>>> works weirdly, cross referencing doesn't actually cross, and I'm just
>>> disappointed tbh. However, I am thankful we do have the service and remain
>>> hopeful for improvements with EG authorities. When those improvements DO
>>> come, our catalog will be ready for it because of our authority company.
>>> I'll be the first to admit that while I'm unhappy, I haven't spent a lot of
>>> time researching how to make it better, making launchpad bugs, or being a
>>> squeaky wheel.
>>>
>>>
>>> Kate Coleman, MLIS
>>> Technical Services Manager, Jefferson County Library
>>> Missouri Evergreen Consortium
>>> 5678 State Rd. PP
>>> High Ridge, MO 63049
>>> 636-677-8689
>>> Fax: 636--677-1769
>>> kcoleman at jeffcolib.org
>>>
>>> Currently Reading
>>> <https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/5960108?utm_medium=reading_link&utm_source=email_signature>
>>> [image: Book Cover]
>>> <https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/5960108?utm_medium=cover&utm_source=email_signature>
>>> [image: Goodreads Logo]
>>> <https://www.goodreads.com/?utm_medium=gr_logo&utm_source=email_signature> Get
>>> your own email signature
>>> <https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_instructions?utm_medium=gyo_link&utm_source=email_signature>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Tue, Oct 26, 2021 at 6:52 PM Mary Llewellyn via Evergreen-catalogers <
>>> evergreen-catalogers at list.evergreen-ils.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>> We haven’t had authority control done since our last ILS. We’re not
>>>> sure the public usage would justify the expense since they mostly use the
>>>> keyword search and you need to browse to see cross references. I would like
>>>> to see developments that all KW searches to touch the authorities.
>>>>
>>>> On Tue, Oct 26, 2021 at 4:43 PM Carolyn Phillips via
>>>> Evergreen-catalogers <evergreen-catalogers at list.evergreen-ils.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I have been working here since December 2009 and we have not had
>>>>> authority control work done on our catalog by an outside company since I've
>>>>> been here.  Our IS department has done at least one thing to update
>>>>> authorities, which was changing "cookery" to "cooking."  (We are upgrading
>>>>> to 3.7 November 7.)
>>>>>
>>>>> *Carolyn Phillips*
>>>>> she/her/hers <https://www.mypronouns.org/>
>>>>> *Cataloger*
>>>>>
>>>>> Grand Rapids Public Library | Celebrating 150 Years
>>>>> <https://www.grpl.org/grpl150>
>>>>> Main Library | 111 Library St NE | 49503
>>>>> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/111+Library+St+NE+%7C+49503?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>>> 616-988-5400 x5462 <16169885400,5462> | www.grpl.org
>>>>> On 10/26/2021 4:22 PM, Sharon Douglas via Evergreen-catalogers wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi everyone,
>>>>>
>>>>> It's been over 10 years since we last had authority control work done
>>>>> on our database.
>>>>> I'm not sure it's worth spending money on doing it again.
>>>>> Wondering how many public libraries out there have this done once in a
>>>>> while, and/or keep up with it?
>>>>>
>>>>> We are on version 3.3.4, will probably move to 3.7 early next year.
>>>>>
>>>>> Can't decide what value we would get out of spending $13,000 when it
>>>>> appears only the browsing function utilizes authority files.
>>>>>
>>>>> Seriously interested in others opinions!
>>>>>
>>>>> Sharon Douglas
>>>>> Automation Coordinatordouglass at gsuite.larl.org
>>>>> 218-233-3757 ext. 138
>>>>>
>>>>> Lake Agassiz Regional Library | www.larl.org118 5th Street South
>>>>> Moorhead, MN 56560 <https://www.google.com/maps/search/118+5th+Street+South%0D%0AMoorhead,+MN+56560?entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>>> Celebrating 60 Years of Service in 2021!
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Evergreen-catalogers mailing listEvergreen-catalogers at list.evergreen-ils.orghttp://list.evergreen-ils.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/evergreen-catalogers
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Evergreen-catalogers mailing list
>>>>> Evergreen-catalogers at list.evergreen-ils.org
>>>>>
>>>>> http://list.evergreen-ils.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/evergreen-catalogers
>>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Mary Llewellyn
>>>> Database Manager
>>>> Bibliomation, Inc.
>>>> 24 Wooster Ave.
>>>> Waterbury, CT 06708
>>>> mllewell at biblio.org
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Evergreen-catalogers mailing list
>>>> Evergreen-catalogers at list.evergreen-ils.org
>>>>
>>>> http://list.evergreen-ils.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/evergreen-catalogers
>>>>
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>>>
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