I've requested birth dates from individuals many times. I give them
the option of providing a fuller form of name in addition or in place of
providing the birth date. Only occasionally does anyone refuse to do
this--apart from those who don't respond to the email in the first
place, which is also rare in my experience.
I use a boiler plate introduction to my request. The subject
header: Biographical information for library catalog; then: I catalog
music for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and also contribute names to
the Library of Congress. We recently bought a copy of ... Then I say
something about the need to distinguish the person from someone else
with the same name, and that a birth date and/or fuller form of name is
the most common technique used to do that. (I think that mentioning LC
is useful, as people can readily identify with that institution, and our
headings do wind up going there even if their book, recording, etc. does
not.)
This has worked very well for me. I can understand the caution
voiced in this discussion, but the practice of contacting authors,
performers, etc. for such biographical information has such a long
tradition in authority work that I have not hesitated to send these
requests, and my experience over the last dozen years or so suggests
that people understand the purpose and are very accommodating. (Some are
flattered.)
Chuck Herrold
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
-----Original Message-----
From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Whitsitt, Kathleen S
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 9:15 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCCLIST] Consulting the Collective wisdom (Levity)
Hi,
This kind of touches on an issue I've been wondering about. I am just
now learning how to make NARs as a Texas NACO Funnel participant. I
have not approached any authors for personal information as yet. I'm
very hesitant to do so, and don't have a clue as to the best approach.
Do you just introduce yourself as a PCC cataloger, and explain the need
for additional personal information in bibliographic databases? And do
people understand what any of that means? Do catalogers usually consult
with the legal departments of their institutions for policy
clarifications on requesting personal information from people this way?
Personally, I would be very wary of anyone calling or emailing me for
personal information, if I didn't fully understand why it was needed.
It would be good to hear any guidelines or advise about that.
Thanks,
Kathleen Whitsitt
Authority Control Librarian
Automated Library Services
Lone Star College System
5000 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, Texas 77381-4356
832.813.6785
832.813.6614 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
LoneStar.edu
-----Original Message-----
From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Antony Robert David Franks
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 6:15 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCCLIST] Consulting the Collective wisdom (Levity)
I think that the technical aspects of this question have been capably
answered by the collective wisdom: qualify the cross reference to avoid
conflict and avoid revising headings, BFM, etc.
Billie's mention that the author must be 90+ reminded me of a story:
When I worked in another cataloging section of LC, a co-worker had a
conflict problem with a CIP she was cataloging. The publisher did not
have further details on the author, but was certain that this author was
much older than the author with whom there was a conflict, and gave my
colleague the author's home phone number--which turned out to be in her
part of the Midwest.
My colleague agonized over the correct time to call (Too early and
they'll think it's an emergency, too late and they'll think it's a
slaesman) and called at the time appropirate for Midwest phone
ettiquette. She got the author's wife, who was quite understanding and
gave her birth date, middle name, etc., and they chatted a bit about a
local festival, basketball, and crops. As they were about to hang up, my
colleague blurted out a sudden thought, "Oh! Is your husband still
alive?"
She immediately realized what she'd said, turned several shades of red,
and started apologizing.
Those of us in the office could hear the wife laughing through the
phone. The wife finally managed to say, "That's all right, dear. He's
old, but he's not that old."
From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Billie Aul
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 14:25
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCCLIST] Consulting the Collective wisdom
Dear Collective Wisdom,
I'm trying to establish a John F. Thompson.
Here's what I know about my guy. Usage on OCLC: John F. Thompson
Headings on OCLC: Thompson, John F.; Thompson, John Frederick; PhD from
Harvard: 1934
Worked in municipal bonds, probably still alive, I have a possible phone
number in Manhattan (but he's probably over 90 and I'm not anxious to
call)
Here's what's on the authority file
NLM's record (LC #2005180468, Oclc ARN 06577422)
100 Thompson, John, FRCS
400 Thompson, John F. (John Frederick)
670 ... consultant surgeon ... b. Dec. 29, 1957
What I want to do is add the birth date to the 400 in the existing
record, but not add it to the 100 (which will look really odd anyway
with the qualifier) and then make my guy Thompson, John F. (John
Frederick) with no date. This seems the most straightforward. Nobody
does BFM. However, the qualifiers wouldn't be in parallel (not that
they are now).
Or I could make Thompson, John, FRCS a 400 and make the surgeon's name
Thompson, John (John Frederick), 1957-
Or I could try to track down my 90+ year old guy in Manhattan and try to
get his birth year.
Suggestions?
Billie Aul
Senior Librarian
Technical Services and Systems
New York State Library
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
(518) 474-8610
[log in to unmask]
Anthony R.D. Franks
Team Leader, Cooperative Cataloging Team
Library of Congress
202-707-2822 (voice)
202-252-2082 (fax)
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