Authority Section

General Description: The Authority/Database Maintenance Section is responsible for coordinating and assisting with the names, series, and subject authority control work of catalogers, and for carrying out related database cleanup. Members of the Section act as resources for catalogers within all of the UCLA cataloging centers, and develop or contribute to training program in all aspects of authority control. The Section also coordinates NACO and SACO activities for the Department, and acts as a liaison with the Library of Congress on authority issues.

The Authority/Database Maintenance Section is responsible for performing a number of assignments involving the editing or creation of machine-readable bibliographic records, bibliographic problem solving and local database cleanup. Major duties include: processing added volumes and supplemental materials to previously-cataloged titles, processing added locations, additional copies, replacements, transfers, and assisting in daily editing and problem-solving activities, as necessary. The Section is also responsible for resolving conflicts in headings in the local database, adding or creating authority records to facilitate searching and retrieval, keeping current with name, series, and subject changes, and providing assistance to catalogers in YRL and other campus cataloging centers in interpreting and applying relevant cataloging codes and authority control documentation. It is anticipated that workflow and responsibilities will undergo change as the Library's integrated library system evolves.

The Authority/Database Maintenance Section consists of .5 FTE librarian and 4 FTE staff.