I have worked as a cataloger in both academic and public libraries, I’ve worked with an ILS system vendor, and now with an authorities services vendor—all in MARC. The problems with imbedded punctuation in MARC metadata have been an issue in all of those settings. The best system I used as a cataloger was one that had the punctuation supplied by the system. Punctuation is a major problem for most systems when attempting to maintain authorized terms. It would have been a great service to catalogers and libraries if the ISBD punctuation had been moved from the metadata to the ILS system display decades ago.
Mary L. Mastraccio
Director of Cataloging and Authorities
MARCIVE, Inc.
San Antonio, TX 78265
800-531-7678
www.marcive.com
From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]
GOV] On Behalf Of Benjamin A Abrahamse
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 5:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCCLIST] Removing Punctuation in MARC records (PCC ISBD and MARC Task Group Revised Final Report (2016): a timeline
That’s correct, for the most part. There is hope that system vendors will work with us on this, and it’s reasonable to ask whether that hope is well placed.
But certainly part of the plan, as you can see in the email from Matthew Beacom, is to reach out and communicate with vendors. There is also a plan to develop scripts for OCLC that will facilitate the removal or addition of ISBD punctuation.
I would point out that any effort to move to linked data—or really any non-MARC encoding format—would also require us to wrestle with the issue of embedded ISBD punctuation. If we ever want to see our data move seamlessly between library-specific applications and the wider world, we are going to have to figure out what to do, both prospectively and retrospectively, about this practice.
But certainly there are unanswered questions and lots of work to be done. The January 2018 date is a starting point, not a due date.
No one to my knowledge is saying this will be easy. It will almost certainly be disruptive on some level. But many people—though of course certainly not all—think it’s worth the effort.
Benjamin Abrahamse
Cataloging Coordinator
Acquisitions & Discovery Enhancement
MIT Libraries
From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]
GOV] On Behalf Of Prochazka,David
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 5:47 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCCLIST] Removing Punctuation in MARC records (PCC ISBD and MARC Task Group Revised Final Report (2016): a timeline
But this seems like it would require multiple retoolings of public catalogs: the first to force them to supply ISBD punctuation in the MARC environment, and the second to create a useable post-
MARC catalog display for our users. I’d rather vendors spend more time on a single effort, instead of requiring that they first take the time to make modifications for a communications platform that is on its way out. This would require them to:1) Figure out how to strip all ISBD punctuation from existing data,
2) Figure out how to create a display that includes code-generate ISBD punctuation, for a relatively short term, while we forge ahead to a deconstructed linked-data world,
3) And/or better yet, figure out how to read leader byte 18 and generate ISBD punctuation on the fly when it’s coded ‘c’.
My experience with vendors suggests that OPAC displays are not frequently tweaked to address changes to MARC. I’m not aware of any systems that display the new 3xx fields or revised 502 and 518 fields in any meaningful way to users.
David—
David Procházka | Music/Special Materials Cataloger | The University of Akron | Bierce Library—261C | Akron, Ohio 44325-1712 | 330-972-6260 | [log in to unmask]
From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]
GOV ] On Behalf Of Benjamin A Abrahamse
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 5:34 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCCLIST] Removing Punctuation in MARC records (PCC ISBD and MARC Task Group Revised Final Report (2016): a timeline
Apologies for accidentally hitting send too soon. Last sentence should read:
“The notion that it was written by people who don’t understand how an ILS works is not really correct.”
Benjamin Abrahamse
Cataloging Coordinator
Acquisitions & Discovery Enhancement
MIT Libraries
From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]
GOV ] On Behalf Of Gene Fieg
Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 5:03 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCCLIST] Removing Punctuation in MARC records (PCC ISBD and MARC Task Group Revised Final Report (2016): a timeline
Who is Mike?
Anyway, I don't know how many soapboxes I want to get onto and which one I should choose first.
First of all, it sounds like the fulfillment of relieving the agony of those who took cataloging back in the 1970s: Geez, why do we have do all that weird punctuation. So now we get rid of it and everyone is happy! (Really??)
Actually MARC/ISBD punctuation fulfills exactly what the presentation of the record is: in sentence form. And sentences need punctuation. What has happened here is the atomization of data strings into data bits.
For instance what used to be New York : Harper, 1960 now becomes:
New York
Harper
1960
Getting rid of punctuation may also be a reflection of carelessness of some groups of writing or speaking.
I am on an editorial board of a journal, and outside of sportscasters, librarians are the next group where lack of knowledge of punctuation and its function(s) is most prevalent.
Which brings me to another point. Before PCC went about making a report suggesting the omission of punctuation, it should have first consulted the those who have to code the data in ILSs. Coding isn't simply writing strings; it is writing with logic built in. All that punctuation is functional:
/ = first statement of responsibility
; = secondary statement(s) of responsibility.
Hence: Huckleberry Finn / von Mark Twain ; translated by Hugo Zweig
New construction proposal: Huckleberry von Mark Twain translated by Hugo Zweig.
Which one would be easier for one doing the coding? The one with logic or the one without?
Perhaps, the PCC committee did consult first with those who write code. But if they didn't, they should have.
About atomization of data strings: We should keep them whole.
One of the worst examples of misunderstanding of what a cataloging record is and what cataloging is the product right out of OCLC: WMS. For instance, WorldCat presents "Description" begins with the 260 field. It actually, as everyone should know, begins with the 245 field. Call numbers are not linked so that patron can create a virtual shelflist. There may be others, such as added entries.
Before we omit punctuation or rewrite the code, we again we should get back to user studies. What aspects of the the electronic catalog do the patrons like? Which ones can we make obviously available (virtual shelflist, added entries, etc.)
Anyway, enough soapbox stuff. I have the feeling that PCC has put the cart before the horse.
Gene Fieg
On Tue, May 2, 2017 at 10:08 AM, Prochazka,David <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Here it is, Mike.
David—
From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging [mailto:[log in to unmask]
GOV ] On Behalf Of Beacom, Matthew
Sent: Monday, May 01, 2017 4:31 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PCCLIST] Removing Punctuation in MARC records (PCC ISBD and MARC Task Group Revised Final Report (2016): a timeline
Hi all,
The attached is a brief rationale and a timeline for implementing the recommendations of the PCC ISBD and MARC Task Group (Revised Final Report 2016).
The Task Group recommendation is at https://www.loc.gov/aba/pcc/
documents/isbdmarc2016.pdf
Here, in the body of this message, is the text of the attached, the rationale and the timeline for action.
Rationale:
A fuller rationale for removing ISBD punctuation from MARC records is in the report of the PCC ISBD and MARC Task Group Final Report (2016). In brief, the rationale for removing the ISBD punctuation is that since the ISBD punctuation was designed for the card catalog format, it is now an unnecessary burden within MARC; and that, as we prepare for a post-MARC bibliographic environment, the ISBD punctuation is a hindrance to that transition.
The argument against making the change is a pragmatic one that combines concerns about timing—doing this just at MARC’s ‘end-of-life’ moment—and the potential for labor-intensive disruption in that time. In 2014, it was thought that the impact of the change on our systems before the anticipated migration to linked data and BIBFRAME in 3-5 years would be a double whammy that should be avoided, and we hoped removing the ISBD punctuation could be handled on the conversion of our MARC data to BIBFRAME. But in 2017, the anticipated migration seems at least as far off as it did in 2014: a sure sign that imminence was over-predicted.
Removing the ISBD punctuation would improve MARC as a format for bibliographic data for the duration of the MARC format’s use. As noted above, the use of MARC can be reasonably expected to continue far longer than some anticipated in 2014. The benefits of removing ISBD punctuation from MARC records include:
MARC coding can be used alone to designate parts of the bibliographic description, eliminating the redundancy of parallel input of punctuation and MARC coding. Eliminating most punctuation from MARC records simplifies data entry and allows catalogers to focus solely on coding to better identify parts of the bibliographic description. It also allows for flexibility in the design of online displays without the need for suppressing punctuation. Omission of ISBD punctuation in MARC records is routine in other MARC formats used around the world.
MARC 21 will be around for many years with millions of additional records created as libraries slowly move to working with BIBFRAME. With a transition to BIBFRAME, local systems and bibliographic utilities will need the ability to readily map data back and forth, i.e., BIBFRAME to MARC and MARC to BIBFRAME. Those mapping programs would be greatly simplified and more easily maintained if punctuation did not have to be added or removed at the same time. Developing programs now to remove punctuation from MARC 21 will facilitate a transition to BIBFRAME in the future.
Actions:
1. TIMELINE: new start date set to Jan. 1, 2018 for going live with the permission to not use ISBD punctuation; 9-10 months to prepare and adapt.
a. Phase 1: Now to ALA Annual 2017: Make and distribute record sets for initial preparation testing for impact in local systems, etc.
b. Phase 2: July 1, 2017-Oct. 1, 2017: Use this preparatory period (3 months) to complete initial testing of record sets in local systems and report on impact.
Initial testing is for non-access points in bibliographic records. Vendors shall be made aware that further testing will address access points and authority records, where applicable. Furthermore, only records with ISBD punctuation are included in the initial testing. The records do not include coding that needs to be developed by MAC.
c. Phase 3: Oct. 1, 2017 to Jan. 1, 2018: Analyze results of testing in local systems, and evaluate responses from system vendors (including any projections they may have regarding development and release of upgrades to accommodate proposed changes). Use this second preparatory period (3 months) to understand or make any local changes necessary to tools, workflows, policies.
d. Phase 4: Jan. 1, 2018-? Based on analysis of phase 3, develop timeline, revise specifications, plan changes to tools, workflows, policies as necessary.
January 1, 2018 is a “check-in” date to understand the status after hearing from vendors, testers, etc.
1. might vendors need to fold punctuation changes into a multi-year development cycle?
2. Will there be any MAC actions and MARC documentation updates needed?
3. Confirm assumption that this proposal would ease conversion to linked data.
2. COMMUNICATION: PCC community outreach to stakeholders (i.e. local system vendors: ILMS and discovery tool providers) Goes through all 4 phases.
a. OCLC will reach out to ILMS vendors
b. PCC group will also reach out to discovery tool vendors (some overlap between a & b; redundancy OK)
c. PCC institutional members reach out to vendors as customers
d. PCC Steering will monitor progress through each phase and chair will report to PoCo and PCC
3. TESTING RECORD SETS: OCLC and LC will create and distribute small record sets for PCC institutional members and vendors to use to test impact of ISBD-punctuation-less records on import, workflow, indexing, sorting, display, etc.
a. OCLC will have some number of pairs of records (with punctuation/without punctuation) --some English, some German--to test by end of phase 1
b. LC will have some number of pairs of records (with punctuation/without punctuation) to test by end of phase 1
c. PCC institutions may create pairs of records (with punctuation/without punctuation), too.
d. PCC institutional members and vendors will report on impact (using the test record sets) at end of phase 2
The phases 1-3 above, in short, prepare us to systematically and effectively remove unneeded punctuation from the MARC records. Phase 4, beginning Jan. 1, 2018, is when preparation will morph into implementation.
PCC will be working through Policy Committee, the Standing Committees—each will have its role, and whatever ad hoc or temporary groups may be needed.
Thank you and all the best to you,
Matthew Beacom
PCC Chair
Lori Robare
PCC Chair-Elect
Kate Harcourt
PCC Past Chair