At 06:41 PM 4/30/02 -0700, Karen Coyle wrote:
>There are systems that solve this problem by padding all numbers to some
>set length (i.e. 8) in the indexing and sorting keys in the system. I don't
>believe that it's terribly difficult to do so I don't understand why a MARC
>solution is being sought. Can anyone enlighten me? Are systems vendors
>saying it isn't possible?
The outcome of the discussion at MARBI is that a MARC solution was in fact
not desirable, and that a systems solution should be investigated
instead. The matter was returned to PCC for development of an algorithm
that could be presented to system vendors.
What system vendors are 'saying' at present may perhaps best be gauged by
the behavior of their products ...
Gary L. Strawn, Authorities Librarian, etc.
Northwestern University, 1935 Sheridan Rd., Evanston IL 60208
e-mail: [log in to unmask] voice: 847/491-2788 fax: 847/491-8306
Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit.
