FAQ on headings found in the LC Online Catalog labelled "[from old catalog]"

1. Background.

Searching the LC Online catalog is not a requirement for NACO participants; however, we recognize that NACO catalogers often search the LC database anyway. The following FAQ is provided to help NACO catalogers interpret some of the information they will find in LC records that would not appear in other databases (e.g. OCLC).

2. What does it mean when I'm searching the LC Online Catalog and see the phrase "[from old catalog]" at the end of a heading on a bibliographic record?

When LC created its current catalog in 1999, it incorporated several million older records that had not been maintained over time into its general catalog. To alert catalogers and catalog users that thses headings may not be up-to-date, the legend "[from old catalog]" was added to every heading on such recordds. The headings themselves were not analyzed against the authority file, thus, some may match an authority record exactly (except fro the legend), and others may be quite different from the current authorized heading. Many others will not be represented by authority records at all. These records are not distributed by CDS and will not be found (as LC issued records) in the bibliographic utilities.

3. When creating/modifying a heading for NACO contribution should participants report BFM on "[from old catalog]" headings found in the LC Online Catalog?

No.

4. Should headings with the legend "[from old catalog]" be considered in the universe for conflict in determining AACR2 formulation of new name authority headings and references?

   No, it is not necessary for NACO catalogers to take headings on these older records into account when determining the form of new headingss. Note that the LC Online Catalog should not be considered the "database of record" for NACO participants, given the large number of authorized headings that do not display in the public version of the catalog (headings that have not been used on LC bibliographic records currently display only in the staff modules or by separately searching Library of Congress Authorities). Remember, searching the LC Online Catalog is not a requirement for NACO participation and the PCC does not encourage libraries to search beyond their immediate database of record in order to determine the form of a heading.

5. When creating a new heading, could information found on headings with the legend "[from old catalog]" be used?

Sure, the LC Online Catalog may be used as a reference tool. Care must be taken when using information found on old catalog records, in part because of the unreliable aspects of some of the data. If citing these reocrds, please use the following example:

• 670 $a LC database, date $b (hdg.: ... [from old catalog])

6. When I discover that a heading with the legend "[from old catalog]" in the LC Online Catalog is out of synch with the authorized form should these be reported to the Coop Team or to CPSO?

No, these reports will not be acted on, and will only prove frustrating to both the sender and the receiver. LC is well aware that the access points on bibliographic records are not consistent with the authority files due to the integration of the "[from old catalog]" headings. CPSO has embarked on special projects on occasion to tackle subsets of the headings, and over time, more will be eliminated.