Help! I'm seeing double! Well, yes, you are...Double hits have been a common occurrence in ATLAS for over a year. There are new MARC cataloging standards which have been designed to improve access to information in library databases. The most recent coding change allows libraries to limit subject searches in their databases by form. Form indicates what the book is, not what it is about. Some terms that indicate form are Fiction, Directories, Examinations, or even Juvenile literature. (It is Fiction, it is a Directory, it is a Juvenile book, etc.) While ATLAS does not allow us to limit a search by form, we strive to keep current with all new changes in formats and standards. This is especially true now with a new system coming. We may be able do things in the future that we are not able to do now and we want to have our current database prepared for this change. Unfortunately, using both the old and new codes can sometimes cause confusion to staff and patrons.

You see:

Science -- Dictionaries. (26)               Mythology –- Juvenile literature (11)
Science -- Dictionaries. (2)         or     Mythology –- Juvenile literature (1)

It's the "behind-the-scenes" coding conflict that is causing this duplication in subject headings.

The Cataloging Section is continually working to update the codes that are causing these conflicts. Although we can change these headings all at once, with a global search and replace command, there are so many that it will be some time before all of these headings are fixed. In the meantime, this is why you might see DOUBLE (DOUBLE)!

This newsletter editor would appreciate your suggestions for future issues.
Please send them to Sue Bermann, Technical Services (or e-mail bermanns@pbclibrary.org)