Briefing Note - Network Zone – Consortial Treatment of LC Subject Headings
Summary of the Problem or Issue
The CLSP Metadata & Cataloguing Subcommittee recommends the use of the College Union Catalogue (CUC) file to be a basis of the Shared Catalog, “Masterfile”, for the Network Zone. The CUC file does not reflect the work done by the colleges around Decolonizing the Catalogue.
The Metadata & Cataloguing Subcommittee recommends updating the current CUC file to reflect the decolonizing work, synchronize the work among the 24 college libraries and to establish a shared source for the 18 college libraries that are currently taking part in CLSP. The Network Zone presents an opportunity to build a foundation for future collaboration for the maintenance and sharing of bibliographic records.
Discussion
Taking into consideration all the efforts already done by colleges to decolonize subject headings, the Metadata & Cataloguing Subcommittee discussed two approaches that were brought forward to the Decolonizing College Catalogues Subcommittee to provide guidance on which approach to take.
Update the CUC w/ decolonized work done by colleges who have replaced subject terms
Based on college survey responses 8 of 11 colleges who have started this work use this approach. Therefore, there is a bigger pool of records to be used to update the CUC file. If a user is applying LC subject headings for a search, they will not be able to find the resource. There is a possibility to build a consortial authority file which would mitigate the issue of users using LC terms.
Note: If the first approach is chosen a consortial authority file will not be in place for Go Live July 22, 2022.
Update the CUC w/ decolonized work done by colleges who have added subject terms as well as kept the LC subject heading
Based on college survey, 3 of the 11 colleges have used this approach. If a user applies either term, they will find the resource but not reap the benefit of a decolonized catalogue without suppressing the LC subject headings on the individual institution level.
Note: If the second approach is chosen, Exlibris has confirmed the ability to keep subject headings indexed for full results but suppressed from display. This will be available for the December release for Primo VE.
The Network Zone records will be the foundation from which the 18 colleges participating in the CLSP will source master records therefore the chosen approach will impact the institutional level workflow.
Note: If none of the approaches above are not desirable at this time we will upload the CUC file as is.
Recommendation Actions
The ad hoc working group from the Decolonizing College Catalogues Subcommittee met on December 6. The group suggests the Network Zone should be updated with colleges who have added subject terms as well as kept the LC subject headings with the expectation colleges will have the ability to suppress the display of fully indexed terms. This will require configuration and maintenance of a list of exact offensive terms in each Primo VE instance. Moving forward it is recommended that all colleges use this approach as part of their cataloguing practice.
Expected Outcome
Striking a balance when sharing of master records between improved user experience and minimal impact to existing workflows while we move into a new shared system will benefit all colleges while they focus priorities on other recommendations from the Decolonize College Catalogues Subcommittee’s research report.