Re: [ARSCLIST] Cataloging: Libraries and private collectors

[Karl Miller <lyaa071@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 13 May 2005, George Brock-Nannestad wrote:

> However, some IL fields may also be
> created by traditional reference work - for instance, it is "only" legwork to
> enter IL information for innumerable LP records, where the originator is
> Edward Tatnall Canby. Just work through the newspapers, magazines, and
> journals where he reviewed these records, and you will have created/collated
> this information relative to particular recordings.

You have provided me with food for thought.

I now wonder, how difficult might it be to tie in the index to record
reviews, to a cataloging record.

> Our cultural heritage is preserved because we want to learn from it. The more
> we can learn without having to do legwork for particular queries, the easier
> for the requestor of information. This means that cataloguing ideally
> contains answers to most unasked questions. That will never happen, but
> creating catalogues and merging catalogues is an investment that will save
> time in many instances later.

I love your phrase..."cataloguing ideally contains answers to most unasked
questions."

As to merging, can I assume you would agree to the notion of the merging
of not only catalogs but information resources...While this is
done already, I am not aware of it being done systemically. Perhaps
someone can provide some information on such initiatives.

As for the catalog containing answers to questions...I wonder, how far
away are we from having the ability to scan a tray card, program a
computer to "find" performer information and then load that information
into the appropriate field.

I also wonder about the duplication of effort...when I have one of my CDs
pressed, there is a file which ERMA maintains which tells if this
particular performance has been released before. When we issued our CD of
Ravel at the piano, coupled with his performance of Bolero, the pressing
plant told me that the Bolero performance had already been issued on CD.
They said the identification was made via the title and the duration. It
had been released on Pearl...but not featuring my restoration. I had to
show them that my restoration was different.

Similarly, we were issuing a CD of Beethoven piano sonatas...two movements
timed out exactly the same as some other recording...so once again,
someone had to track down a copy of the other recording and then
demonstrate that our recording was different.

It would seem that there is already plenty of information out there. Does
anyone know the form that ERMA maintains that sort of information? It
would seem that if the information was captured by them, the cataloging
community could work at having them derive information which could be used
for cataloging. Is this too off the wall of a notion? While this would not
address older recordings, might it not free cataloger time which could be
devoted to original cataloging.

I wonder if ERMA ever considered that their information could be sold to
libraries? Especially if libraries could work with them at deriving the
needed information. Catalogers could be then used for authority work...but
then, come to think of it, as much as ERMA monitors, perhaps they have
their own authority files which could benefit from the OCLC authority
files and vice versa.

Any thoughts on this?

> Don't poke fun of the IL field, it is an
important indicator of taste, > provided it is used wisely.

Thinking about it, I would agree.

Karl