Implementation of Change in Indicator Value for
                       Multiple Surnames Delayed

     In 1996, the first indicator value 2 (Multiple surname) in
X00 fields was made obsolete.  Value 1 (Single surname) was
redefined as "surname" to be used for headings with either single
or multiple surnames.  At the time value 2 was made obsolete, LC
had an arrangement with an outside source to update existing
authority records programmatically to change all instances of
value 2 to value 1 in X00 fields; these updated records were then
to have been made available to other libraries through
distribution from LC.  LC was recently informed by that source
that it would be unable to execute this change.  In view of this
development, the Library of Congress has had to reassess its
implementation strategy.

LC/NACO LIBRARIES

     LC/NACO libraries will defer implementing discontinuing use
of value 2 in X00 fields until some time after installation of an
Integrated Library System (ILS) at the Library of Congress; that
installation is now scheduled for October 1, 1999.  There are two
exceptions to this policy as it relates to current records
contributed by the British Library (BL) and to retrospective
records from the Dance Heritage Coalition (see below).

     The Library realizes that this decision may have an impact
on the library community, but, after considering various
alternatives, it became clear that the Library has neither the
human nor machine resources to change the entire authority
database manually or programmatically.

BRITISH LIBRARY RECORDS

     Based on LC's original plan to implement the change in 1998,
the BL announced that it has implemented the change on January 2,
1998.  The LC/NACO practice will take this implementation into
account (see below).

DANCE HERITAGE COALITION RECORDS

     Approximately 52,000 retrospective records from the Dance
Heritage Coalition were recently loaded into the name authority
file, some of which represent headings for multiple surnames.  At
the time they were being processed for loading, these headings
contained a first indicator value of 1.  Since at that time we
had anticipated making the programmatic change described above,
the decision was made to leave the indicator value at 1.  The
LC/NACO practice will take these records into account (see
below).

LC/NACO POLICY

     LC/NACO policy is to continue to use first indicator value 2
for multiple surnames except as noted below.  In the normal
course of searching the name authority file, be particularly
conscious of the first indicator value with a view to:

     1)    preserving any X00 character strings for multiple
           surnames containing value 1 in records contributed by
           the British Library or the Dance Heritage Coalition;
     2)    preserving the relationship between the character
           string in a bibliographic record and that in the name
           authority record.

In essence, this practice means that LC/NACO libraries will
continue to use value 2 in both authority and bibliographic
records except for multiple surnames represented by authority
records contributed by the BL or the Dance Heritage Coalition.
Also, if adding a multiple surname reference to one of those
records, use value 1 to preserve the internal integrity of the
authority record.  If adding one of those names to a new or
existing bibliographic record, use value 1 to preserve the
consistent relationship between the character string in the
bibliographic record and that in the name authority record.  Note
that this practice will result in bibliographic records that may
contain multiple surnames with a mixture of indicator values,
that is some with 2 and some with 1.


Cataloging Directorate and
Network Development and MARC Standards Office
Library of Congress

January 7, 1998