Hello everyone!
We're very excited to let you know about a few different updates!
 
LCSH to FAST
Throughout 2019 we had been working on a process to convert LCSH to FAST. We'd spent about 9 months developing the process and we performed multiple tests on a 30k record dataset (I swear my eyes went cross-eyed during the sample reviews). We spent considerable time comparing our results with OCLC's online FAST conversion to see where our process was differing so we could see if tweaks were required. In some cases we were able to add headings that OCLC missed! This was very encouraging!
 
Our processing not only adds the heading, but also includes the identifier in $0 as you're used to seeing in the FAST headings. We're also able to add some of the 648 time-span fields as well. Each heading that we add also has the authority record retrieved to add to your Master Authority File, so the authorities are available for export.
 
We had our first "live" run in October and we were very pleased with the results. We have 3 other institutions already in the queue for this service.
 
Please note, that with this conversion we are NOT stripping out your LCSH, we're just adding FAST where we can.
 
Let us know if this is something you're interested in adding!
 
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34X Updates
Over the last year we've been working on fine-tuning our 34X processing. When processing was originally put into place a few years ago, the best-practices were still being worked on. We know that RDA fields will be a moving target for a while but now that there has been some stability, we figured it was time for an update. The recommendation from the best-practices is to add the 34X fields in a way that allows a $2 for the vocabulary source to be added for each subfield; this required splitting the 34X fields from what was a singular 34X into multiple 34X where appropriate.
 
Fields will have a $2 inserted where one is available.

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007 updates
Section 2-6 of the Authority Control profile has always included adding a "default" 007 to records without one, specifically for maps, sound recordings, and video recordings. We have significantly updated that process to add an 007 based on actual data within your records. We have also added microforms to the list of 007s we attempt to add. Of course, there will be times when we cannot add an 007, usually due to complex or conflicting data.
 
Adding 007s when missing is available for both AACR2 and RDA records. If you have an institutional preference of not adding these 007s to RDA records, let us know and we can tweak the rule for your individual process.
 
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Terminal pucntuation
The PCC has issued recommendations for those who are interested in limited-punctuation within their Bibliographic records. As a response, we have instituted an option to remove terminal punctuation from the descriptive MARC fields.
 
We have not yet begun working on the medial punctuation recommendations. We will annouce once those options are in place.
 
If you're interested in removing terminal punctuation from the descriptive fields, please let us know so your Project Manager can get the settings in place!
 
 
 
**With all of these changes comes the need to update the Planning Guides & Wiki. Please be patient as we work to update these as well as the Online Profile options.**

Casey Cheney, PMP | Vice President, Authority Control
Backstage Library works | Provo, Utah & Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
801-342-5692 | ccheney@bslw.com | ac.bslw.com/mars | How am I doing?