[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Authority Control Processing

[Martha Driscoll]

The discussion of authority control vendors reminds me that I don't have 
a solid grasp of authority record processing.

This is what I have been able to figure out.  Let me know if I have made 
any incorrect assumptions.

Let's assume a 2.5 system.

Initial record loading

1. Authority records are loaded into the system.

2. The script authority_authority_linker.pl is run.  This script links 
reference headings in authority records to main entry headings in other 
authority records.

3. The script authority_control_fields.pl is run.  This script goes 
though each bib record and creates a $0 in any field with a matching 
authority record.

Does it matter what order this is done in?

Ongoing Processing

1. As new bibs are added to the database, run 
authority_control_fields.pl on the range of new bib id's.

2. As new authority records are added to the database, run 
authority_authority_linker.pl on the range of new authority record id's.

Do old bib records ever need to be run through 
authority_control_fields.pl again?  What if they are updated?  What if 
they are overlaid via vandelay?  Is there ever a circumstance where a 
new or updated authority record now matches old bibs?  How would you 
identify the bibs, or do you have to run authority_control_fields.pl 
through the bib database periodically?

-- 
Martha Driscoll
Systems Manager
North of Boston Library Exchange
Danvers, Massachusetts
www.noblenet.org