Correcting Existing Records
Item records belong exclusively to the library that creates them. Changes
within an item record should only be made by the library that created it. Bibliographic
records, on the other hand, are a shared resource. If not now, then
some time in the future, items from multiple libraries will be attached
to a given bib record. Certain general principles flow from this:
In general, staff of SOLAR libraries must take responsibility
for correcting errors within the bib records they have created
or copied into the SOLAR, whenever errors come to their
attention.
When staff of member libraries encounter false unique records
-- multiple bib records for clearly identical editions of
a work -- they should follow the procedures described in the
Cataloging Standards, in order to consolidate multiple item
records on the best bib record, irrespective of who created
each bib record.
Please Do:
-
Make obvious spelling corrections, as long as there is certainty that
the variant spelling is not intentional,and is
incorrect within the context of the work.
-
Make obvious MARC designator corrections, if there is 100%
certainty of the appropriateness of the correction,
e.g. changing "Industry -- Maine -- Directories" to "Industry|zMaine|vDirectories."
-
Add new subject headings as long as they conform to LCSH
or MESH practice, including use of the proper indicator
value ("0" and "2" respectively).
-
Add local subject headings, as long as they conform to
MARC field / subfield conventions and carry an indicator
value of "4" for Source Not Specified.
Please Do Not:
- Delete any existing fields within the bib record unless
explicitly asked to do so by the Cataloging Standards or
other documentation from the Maine State Library.
