Provisional Headings in the NAF (Additions and Changes to Authority Records)

Background:

The NAF contains headings designated "provisional" which may be identified by Level of Establishment fixed field 008/33 c.

Generally, these are authority records which could not be fully established according to the rules because of inadequate information about the person, corporate body, etc. Frequently, this is because the language of a parent body and a subordinate body differ, or because the cataloger who established the heading did not have the language expertise necessary to establish it as a full-level record.

Procedure:

1. Revise the heading on a provisional record when the work being cataloged provides information which enables the cataloger to upgrade into a fully established record. Change the Level of Establishment fixed field from c to a.

2. In addition to changing and/or adding information to the heading (if necessary) and adding a 670 field, check all fixed fields and the rest of the heading for any needed adjustments.

3. Search the RLIN or OCLC bibliographic files for LC records which will need maintenance due to changes. If there are any, notify the NACO Coordinator, who will then notify Coop Cat.

See also:

Section II - Additons and Changes to Authority Records