ISBNs for ebooks

I’ve been cataloging a LOT of ebooks lately and I wonder….

Why is the ISBN the same for epub and pdf versions of some titles – while other titles have two separate and distinct ISBNs for the two formats?  If anyone knows the answer I’d love a reply.

Authorities and coding

I’ve often wondered about the coding LC uses in some of their authority records.    There is a or b coding as to whether the authority should be used as a main or added entry, a subject, or a series.   With a meaning YES and b meaning NO.

If you see aaa then the authority can be used for all three.  baa means it cannot be used as a main or added entry,  but can be used as a subject or series.  bab means it can only be used as a subject.  bba means it can only be used as a series, etc. etc.

Why then do the authority records for airplanes, ships etc. have the coding aab?  This denotes that the airplane CAN be a main or added entry.  When is the last time you saw a work written by an airplane?  Is there any instance when the authorities for airplanes, boats, ships, etc. should display in the author authority database?

Example: 001       n 2004029426
003       DLC
005       20040714143836.0
008       040714n| acannaabn |n ana
010 –    |an 2004029426
040 –    |aDLC|beng|cDLC
110 2-    |aBuzzer (Airplane)
670 –    |aYedlin, Benedict. Brother men who fly, 2002:|bp.
1-2 (The Buzzer; B-24 “H” model, serial no. 41-29307;
crashed in Italy Dec. 9, 1944)

 

WebDewey icons

Many of you will have noticed the inclusion of new icons to identify built numbers and manual notes.

Built numbers are represented by a puzzle piece icon.

Manual notes are represented by a book icon.

Both types of icons are included in search results.  For example, the search results for a search on 005.3 include the manual note 005.3 (identified with the book icon) and the built number 005.3742 (identified with the puzzle piece icon).  The puzzle piece icon also is used to identify built numbers in browse results.  On the individual record display screen, the Manual icon appears next to the number and caption for the Manual note (for example, look at the Manual note for 005.3).   In hierarchical displays for built numbers, the puzzle piece icon can appear anywhere in the hierarchical display for the number.  For example, display the record for 338.47004 Computer industry.  In the hierarchical display, the built number icon appears next to 338.47004, and also next to two built numbers in the downward hierarchy, 338.4700411 and 338.470046.  (If you don’t see the icons associated with the aforementioned examples, it may be because relevant information has been cached in your browser.  If you want to see the icons immediately and do not want to wait until the cache is refreshed, you can press <ctrl> + <F5> inside a WebDewey screen associated with one of the examples, which will cause your browser to reload the cached information.)

This information was copied from The DeweyBlog, a great resource for those who use WebDewey.

Cataloging rule interpretations

FYI.  There is a ‘one place to call’ for cataloging rule interpretations.

The site attempts to bring all of the rule interpretations for AACR2 available on the web into a single place. They are designed to be used with a current copy of AACR2. It currently includes all of the latest Rule Interpretations from the Library of Congress, the basic proposals from RDA and how this would impact AACR2.

 

Excuse me… my anality is showing

O.K. I’m more than a bit AR.  But I use the excuse that being anal is a good trait for a cataloguer to have.

Today I’m ranting about Star Wars and Star Trek.  The authorities for these two entities are not consistent.  Sometimes the second word in both of these is capitalized, sometimes not.  WHY?

Examples (only one example of MANY):

Star wars, episode I, the phantom menace (Motion picture)

Star wars, episode II, attack of the clones (Motion picture)

Star Wars, episode III, revenge of the Sith (Motion picture)

How can we keep our catalogs consistent if the authorities themselves are not ?

What are others doing?  Or do you think I’m too AR and should let it go?

Cataloging matters

There is a new Cataloging Matters Podcast, this one is entitled “Thoughts on Open Development”. It is available at http://blog.jweinheimer.net/2012/01/cataloging-matters-13-thoughts-on-open.html

I love the name of this series.  It seems we catalogers are always attempting to justify our existance because the public service sector and indeed the public itself do not seem to recognize the value of our contributions.

I have a pin which states “Cataloging IS a public service”.    SO TRUE!

Authority change for fantasy novelist

Fantasy novelist Kate Elliot‘s name authority has been updated as of July 2010.  I am just catching it now as I catalogue her latest novel “Cold Fire”.

Old authority = Elliott, Kate

New authority = Elliott, Kate, 1958-

She has four established series authorities which must also be updated:

1. Jaran  2. Crown of stars  3. Crossroads  4. The Spiritwalker trilogy.

Happy editing