Here's is another view of the Reading Program data elements. This DP
was initiated by the MicroLIF committee. Our goal was build an easily
understood and implemented plan for cataloging the fact that a certain
title was contained on one, or many, reading program test discs.
In the k-12 community, there is a growing need to link the library
database with the various curriculum areas. Reading programs are a
critical component of the overall success of the classroom/library
collaborative effort.
We looked for an "open" field and settled on 526. There was no
tremendous significance to the 526, it was just "open". In defining
this new field, we included all the elements necessary to convey both
the relationship between the print title and the Reading Program test
disc and the specific attributes of that title on the Reading Program
disc. Admittedly, some elements were redundant with other note fields.
LC worked on the original concept and remapped the various elements to
existing MARC fields and subfields. The LC DP is a much better
scientific solution AND it requires only modest changes/edits to the
existing format.
The unfortunate part of it all is, it just won't work in the schools
or with the k-12 vendor community. As an example, the DP calls for
data elements to be entered in the 787. Most PC systems don't even
index the 787. Most PC systems do index all or most of the 5XX fields.
We are trying to find a win-win-win solution. It would be great if we
can build a Proposal which will give the k-12 community (105,000
schools in the US alone!) an easily understood solution [WIN #1],
present something which MARBI can live with [WIN #2], and put
something in place which can be effectively provided by the MicroLIF
community [WIN #3].
Your comments are encouraged
Michael Johnson
MicroLIF Liaison
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