From meeting during Evergreen Conference 2013.
Discussion:
Some of the attendees asked how other libraries actually using Authorities were managing their authority records. A few of them said they were using vendor updates.
A workflow using a script for linking authorities and bib records has been designed by Jason Stephenson. The workflow utilizing this script and vendor updates follows: 1. export MARC records to Backstage Library Works 2. Backstage sends back clean bibliographic records and updated authorities 3. the library loads the new files 4. the linking script is run This is done on a quarterly basis. Backstage sends monthly record updates, too.
Yamil Suarez talked about the authorities browse for the JSPAC that Berklee paid for because they wanted an alphabetical search. It was not exactly what was wanted and it was not port to the TPAC. MassLNC is sponsoring development for a browse, but it did not make the 2.4 deadline. It will be in 2.5. It is being designed to work without any authorities loaded. “See also” will work once authorities are loaded and linked.
There were some data destruction bugs, but Jason and other developers repaired those.
For the future, Alex Kent will head Authorities Task Force. It looks like Yamil will also join. Regardless, he will create wiki accounts for the Task Force members.
Key Features we really want working in a much more efficient way: 1. behind the scenes linking 2. OPAC
We have been asked not to make an authorities mailing list. The group decided it can use the cataloger list and the wiki page.
Berklee also reminded the group that they had paid for authority control sets (945). Their experiences from this and their other development projects have given them some key things to keep in mind. For future development, they cautioned the group to: 1. make sure the development proposal is complete 2. double-check project to make sure it is doing what you asked
There was a question about name-title authority control (uniform titles). Gislaine mentioned the 2.3 browse is not working after |a. Also, right-click on the subject heading for the browse list is not always working-the cut and paste menu pops up. Someone also mentioned the 2.3 and 2.2 red highlighting issue.
Yamil reminded everyone he can create wiki accounts. This access will let individuals contribute to the wiki page.
Stephen Elfstrand wanted to know about pursuing development to find unmatched headings, bibliographic records without authorities records, and overlay.
Possible developers: Yamil Jason Simon (Hieu) Mai
The group realized we may have funding issues. The consensus was we may need to show administrators how work on our end has public side improvements. For example, -use authorities for a "did you mean" instead of “see-also” -automatically pulls in results (i.e. "doctors" brings in "physicians")
Yamil wants to make a post on the wishlist to use authorities to feed "did you mean.” He has had a conversation with Ben Shum regarding this.
Gislaine also reminded everyone that Statistics Canada had funded some improvements for 2.4. The also have some new coding, hopefully for September, creating bibliographic and authorities record drop-downs.