It looks like voices from Australia and Britain unanimously and decidedly support
the idea of software-provided punctuation and report on positive experience with
it. There were postings from Sweden to the same effect.
Likewise, Germany has always had that feature, right from the beginnings in the
mid-60s. Catalogers here would thus be very upset had they suddenly to learn
the MARC21 scheme. Most don't know something like this exists... Things like this
could mightily deter us from a bold new approach at joining the MARC universe.
Again: We want painless punctuation, period. And we know it's possible. What
century is this, after all!
As I wrote the other day, an arrangement should be possible between the
grailkeepers of MARC21 and ISBD including some minor redefinition or upgrading on
either side to get remaining wrinkles straightened out.
Is anyone listening from those groups? How can it be ensured that this discussion
will not end up tucked away in the list archives, gathering dust?
B.E.
Bernhard Eversberg
Universitaetsbibliothek, Postf. 3329,
D-38023 Braunschweig, Germany
Tel. +49 531 391-5026 , -5011 , FAX -5836
e-mail [log in to unmask]
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