I think I agree.  For those few characters who make a paying profession out of their superpowers, their profession might be better labeled “Soldiers of fortune”, “Assassins”, “Bodyguards”, “Spies”, “Private investigators”, etc.

 

                                                                                Steve McDonald

                                                                                [log in to unmask]

 

 

From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Nancy Sack
Sent: Wednesday, August 8, 2018 3:29 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCCLIST] Superheroes - profession/occupation or other distinguishing characteristic?

 

I agree. To my mind "Heros" and "Superheroes" are descriptions of status. One isn't employed (for fun or profit) as a hero or superhero; one simply is a a hero/superhero. I think those terms belong in 368 fields just as terms such as Political prisoners and Holocaust survivors, and Refugees belong in 368.
Nancy

On 8/8/2018 9:12 AM, Robert Maxwell wrote:

I$B!G(Bve generally used 368 for $B!H(BHeroes$B!I(B though I see plenty of the $B!H(BHeroes$B!I(B term recorded in 374 in the file. It also looks like $B!H(BSuperheroes$B!I(B has been recorded in both fields (and at least once, incorrectly, in 372). $B!H(BSuperheroes$B!I(B seems a little more like an occupation (374) than $B!H(BHeroes$B!I(B, but I think I$B!G(Bd use 368 for both $B!H(BHeroes$B!I(B and $B!H(BSuperheroes$B!I(B.

 

Bob

 

Robert L. Maxwell
Ancient Languages and Special Collections Librarian
6728 Harold B. Lee Library
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
(801)422-5568

 

From: Program for Cooperative Cataloging <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Adam L. Schiff
Sent: Wednesday, August 8, 2018 1:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Superheroes - profession/occupation or other distinguishing characteristic?

 

Hi Collective Wisdom,

 

I$B!G(Bm establishing the name of a superhero.  I$B!G(Bm wondering where to record the attribute that the person is a superhero.  In LCSH we have the heading Superheroes.  In NARs for individual superheroes, that has been recorded in either 374 (profession/occupation) or 368 $c (other attributes of person or corporate body).

 

RDA 9.16.1.1 has this definition: profession or occupation$B"'(B: A person's vocation or avocation

 

RDA 9.6.1.1 has this definition: other designation associated with person$B"'(B: A term other than a title that is associated with a person

 

Merriam-Webster$B!G(Bs online dictionary has these definitions:

 

vocation 2 a : the work in which a person is employed : occupation  b : the persons engaged in a particular occupation

 

avocation 1 : a subordinate occupation pursued in addition to one's vocation especially for enjoyment : hobby   2 : customary employment : vocation

 

Is being a superhero a vocation or avocation?  My inclination is that it is not, and I should record Superheroes in 368 $c:

 

368 ## $c Superheroes $2 lcsh

 

Please discuss!

 

--Adam Schiff

 

Adam L. Schiff

Principal Cataloger

University of Washington Libraries

Cataloging & Metadata Services

Box 352900

Seattle, WA 98195-2900

[log in to unmask]

 

-- 

Nancy Sack

Cataloging Department

University of Hawaii at Manoa Library

2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822

phone: 808-956-2648

fax: 808-956-5968

e-mail: [log in to unmask]