On Wed, 4 Apr 2012, Benjamin A Abrahamse wrote:

> I doubt most users even know what and authority record is ... if a 
> non-unique heading impedes discovery, they only notice that "the catalog 
> is broken", and we're lucky if they even come to the reference desk to 
> ask for help.

  Any pointed criticism contrary to common assumptions can be dismissed as 
"sarcasm", but how can we assume that what is being considered (inclouding 
RDA) is absolutely essential to patrons, or could we be spending our 
efforts and money on other things that they really need now?

  I'm all in favor of cataloger job security, but we have an obligation to 
our longevity in the face of budgetary constraints to make our profession 
as obviously relevant to as many people as possible. If the vast majority 
of patrons and library administrators see an exceptional value in 
eliminating undifferentiated name headings (and RDA) immediately, then 
let's start with some supporting documentation of that fact.

Cheers!

jgm

  John G. Marr
  Cataloger
  CDS, UL
  Univ. of New Mexico
  Albuquerque, NM 87131
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