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Hi Jen, Thanks for asking -- we struggled with this internally as the wording in the DLF Aquifer guidelines is a bit confusing. Here's what our internal policy is (and we think it is in sync with DLF Aquifer). If you are working in an environment or on a project where you are routinely constructing your name subject headings (subdivisions, etc. using the SCM and LCSH), then the subject element should have an attribute authority=lcsh. Additionally, if the name element within the subject wrapper is in the naf, then the name element should have the attribute authority=naf. Betsy > -----Original Message----- > From: Metadata Object Description Schema List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On > Behalf Of Riley, Jenn > Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 2:00 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: [MODS] Authority for names as subject > > Dear MODS Implementers, > > I'm finally getting around to asking the list about a topic that I've > been > unsure about for some time - how to reference the authoritative form of > a > name for a famous person pictured in a historic photograph. > > In the MODS User Guidelines under subject, > <http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-userguide- > elements.html#subject>, > I see: > > "If the subject string is formulated according to the Library of > Congress > Subject Headings (or LC Name Authority File > <http://authorities.loc.gov> ), > the value of the authority attribute is "lcsh." A subject thesaurus > that > does not include names but has an implied authority for names uses the > designation for that thesaurus (i.e., "lcsh" means LCSH plus NAF)." > > I've long been confused by how names as subjects are treated in MARC. > The > explanation from the MODS user guidelines suggests to me MARC authority > records for names are coded in such a way as to explicitly indicate > whether > that name is legal to be used as a subject in addition to (or instead > of?) > as a creator. Is that understanding correct? > > So what is best practice to use in MODS for a person pictured in a > photograph when they have an entry in the authority file? Always > <subject > authority="lcsh">? <subject authority="lcsh"> only when the record is > coded > for subject use but <subject authority="naf"> otherwise? Something > else? > > As may be obvious, the authority="lcsh" option for a name kind of > bothers > me, especially since we use authority="naf" on <name> elsewhere. > > What is the perceived best practice here? What do folks actually do in > their > own implementations? Are there clarifications, changes, etc., to the > User > Guidelines in order? > > Thanks, > Jenn > > ======================== > Jenn Riley > Metadata Librarian > Digital Library Program > Indiana University - Bloomington > Wells Library W501 > (812) 856-5759 > www.dlib.indiana.edu > > Inquiring Librarian blog: www.inquiringlibrarian.blogspot.com