Authority Control

This workshop for Millennium/Sierra users is designed to offer libraries detailed training on authority control. Subject matter is applicable to libraries that use a vendor (or are planning to use a vendor) to do the majority of their authority work as well as to libraries that do all the authority work themselves. Libraries could range from a small single-site library to a multi-type library consortium. The workshop is designed to cover all areas of authority control within your Innovative system. There will be general discussion of authority control and why it is important plus more advanced topics like genre headings, 7xx re-directs, maintaining authority records, loading authority records, etc. Also offered will be detailed information about how the tools in Millennium or Sierra work and what you need to do to keep current.

At the conclusion of this course the user will be familiar with the following:

-Authority record structure and function for all heading types
-How Innovative’s Authority Control module works
-Which Headings Reports are necessary for the library to maintain and which ones are replaced by vendor action
-Using Web Management Patron Search Statistics to enhance patron searching
-Loading authority and bibliographic records received from the vendor and protecting locally-edited records upon overlay
-Maintaining headings in bibliographic records using Headings Reports and Global Update
-Maintaining authority records using the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) Approved Lists

Prerequisites: Knowledge of cataloging and MARC record structure. Working knowledge of the Create Lists, Data Exchange, and Global Update functions in either the Sierra or Millennium environments.

Audience: Cataloging or other staff responsible for authority control and/or database maintenance

Duration: 3 days, hands-on