Authority+Files

=AUTHORITY FILES=

=Library of Congress= In order to have consistency in MARC records, authority files are used for a heading. For names, the most common concern in a school catalog, the standard source is the **Library of Congress Name Authority File** which can be searched free at http://authorities.loc.gov.

Here is a brief screencast on how to search the LC Authorities for names: @https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXhViBbNYC0

= = =VIAF= Another source for authorities that includes information from libraries besides those in the United States is the **Virtual International Authority File**: []. From this site you can find the birth (and death dates), publication statistics, publishers, nationality, and more.

=Worldcat Identities @https://www.worldcat.org/identities/= WorldCat Identities can be used to access an “identity web page” for authors, characters from books or films, ships, corporate entities, etc. Each entity can have a personal identity, a controlled personal identity, a corporate identity or a controlled corporate identity.

= = =WIKIPEDIA= I have found this to be helpful in the past, although I do accept the names and dates with some trepidation.

Other suggestions: Biographical databases subscribed to by your library or those of JCKL.

Since one of the requirements of the class is that author birth and death dates be included in the MARC record, these sources will be your first stops in trying to find this information. If, after having made a good faith effort and you can find the dates, then just skip this subfield.

=**District Cataloging Manuals**= A different kind of authority is determining how you will consistently enter information into your online catalog. Larger school districts create cataloging standards and manuals in order to have the material in a district union catalog standardized. Referring to these school-created manuals is a great way to find quick answers about how to enter something in your own catalog and also help in creating your own standardization of information.


 * District Library Cataloging Standards and Practices,** Boulder Valley School District (CO) http://www.bvsd.org/employees/IT/library/Cataloging/Documents/Cataloging%20Dept%20Standards%20and%20Practices%202014.pdf

http://casdcataloging.wikispaces.com/Descriptive+Cataloging+Policy+and+Procedures
 * Faust Junior High School Cataloging Policy and Procedures Manual,** J. Frank Faust Junior High School (Chambersburg, PA)

http://www.davenportschools.org/media/follett/Cataloging_Procedures%20Handbook.pdf
 * Cataloging - Davenport Community School District,** Davenport Community Schools (IA) - Destiny examples