Copyright © 2008-2018, BC Libraries Cooperative
Table of Contents
Sitka’s Cataloguing Policy defines the standards and best practices for cataloguing within the shared Sitka catalogue to ensure that all libraries are treating bibliographic records in the same manner when they are editing, creating, or adding records.
https://docs.libraries.coop/policy/_cataloguing_policy.html
All staff that perform cataloguing tasks at Sitka libraries are expected to familiarize themselves with this policy and commit to uphold it as they work with records in the Sitka catalogue.
The goal is to have a database of high quality bibliographic records that are shared by all libraries. Ideally there is one MARC record in the database for each discrete bibliographic title which all libraries add their holdings to. All Sitka libraries must follow the same policies when editing MARC records to ensure that records accurately describe the items that are attached to them.
There is a known bug (LP 1982892) where in the Record Notes tab in a bibliographic record, the value of the Creator and Editor columns is always "1" or the username of the account that has an id of "1". This means the information about the Creator or Editor of a Bib Record Note is currently incorrect and cannot be used as a reference.
If we are notified of bad cataloguing, we must follow up with the offending library about their cataloguer.
Example situation: RT 128398
Create a new ticket to notify the offending library
By saving a reference of the problematic MARC, it is a record of the problematic changes, as well as any changes which may have been made in between the time the bad edits were made and the snapshot was taken on the non-prod server (i.e. there may have been other non-problematic updates by others in that time). While sharing the problematic MARC with the library whose staff made the bad updates can help the library (so they know what not to do, as well as having a reference of any other non-problematic info that may have been added), it is also a reference for us. (If it is a situation where many records were edited this may not be feasible, but for single record issues this is not unwieldy.) If we choose not to share the old problematic MARC with the library, it can also be added as a comment to a ticket for our reference.
Here is suggested wording for following up with the library whose staff made the bad changes:
Hello,
It has been brought to our attention that staff at your library improperly modified a bibliographic record. On (date), account (user) (edited in problematic way) bibliographic record (db ID #, link to bib record).
Sitka’s Evergreen Policy states "All staff performing cataloguing functions in Sitka’s Evergreen are expected to follow the same cataloguing standards when working with records." https://docs.libraries.coop/policy/_cataloguing_standards.html
"Cataloguers should be cautious when editing existing bibliographic records in the Sitka catalogue. Changes to a bibliographic record affect ALL libraries with holdings attached. In our consortium, with over 100 libraries, a single change can have a significant effect." https://docs.libraries.coop/policy/_editing_bibliographic_records.html
Cataloguers are encouraged to correct obvious typos or otherwise enhance records, but should refrain from making changes that result in incorrect coding of a record.
This was the MARC of the problematically updated record:
(Flat Text MARC with bad cataloguing)
The (outline of problem and why issue). To resolve these problematic changes, we have have reverted the bibliographic record to an earlier version.
It is also advisable to review any holds your patrons have placed on this record: https://docs.libraries.coop/sitka/_managing_holds.html
Please let us know if you have questions about this or if there are any related issues.
Copyright © 2008-2018, BC Libraries Cooperative
