In light of the much lamented LC series decision, it would be wise for us
catalogers to exercise restraint in asking for "more clarity" in the rules.
I haven't double checked the RI's, but let's assume they are silent on this
point, and a clarification is proposed.  We could debate the virtues of
various alternatives.   A clarification could be published.  Prior to the
clarification, various alternatives would be OK according to catalogers
judgment.  Afterwards, all but one would be WRONG.   There would be yet
another RI to cover in training.  Shaking their collective heads over the
ever-growing knot of "clarifications," the powers-that-be might well
propose an "unambiguous and unexceptional" solution like the series
decision.

Even without the threat of such a decision, I think that we'd do well to
spend less time debating these fine distinctions.  It is enough of a
challenge to figure out which author is which, and to consistently use the
established forms, though they may be formed according to rules that are
not perfectly clear.

Amy

Amy H. Turner
Monographic Cataloger & Authority Control Coordinator
Duke University Libraries
Durham, NC   27708-0190
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             <[log in to unmask]>         Re: [PCCLIST] Birth and death dates 
                                                                           
                                                                           
             10/29/2006 09:51                                              
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As long as we are on the subject of adding death dates, could someone
clarify whether we should remove the month and day from an open birth date
when adding a death date?

For instance:
   Smith, David, 1929 Feb. 4-
       presumably would become
   Smith, David, 1929-2006

as long as one can ascertain that all the other individuals with the
heading Smith, David and an open birth date of 1929 are still alive or died
in a different year?
   I have seen death dates added to headings in which the month and date
remained in the birth date, so it would be good to get some clarity.
  Thanks very much in advance--

John DeSantis

********************************************************************
John DeSantis
Cataloging & Metadata Services Librarian
Bibliographer for Film Studies, Theater and Russian
Dartmouth College Library
HB 6025
Hanover, NH  03755
(603) 646-0413 [voice]
(603) 646-8767 [fax]
E-mail:  [log in to unmask]
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