Module 3: Help searching the authority file

ou might be feeling confused about searching the authority file. Here are two things to keep in mind as you search the authority file:

1. When you search the authority file for names, look for the name only. You will never, ever look for book titles except in certain situations. You only need to worry about book titles in this class if the book is a translation or it is known by more than one title. Otherwise, you never need to look for a book title, and don’t ever expect to find one. They are only created when needed. So just simply add your 100 and 700 for the names, and your 245 for the book’s title. (You still need to look up series titles.)

2. In authority records, there is usually a 670 reference note that explains what book was used to set up the access point. Don’t ever expect to find the book are you are cataloging on the authority record. That is simply a reference to explain what book was used to create the authorized access point. That’s it. So if you are searching for a name and you think you have found the right person, then simply copy the name in the 100 in the authority record and paste it into the 100 or 700 on your bib record.

You must know how to search the authority file to find names. This is required on the final exam. Once you find the name that fits the book, simply copy and paste the name from the 100 field in the authority record into your bibliographic record. Please do not over think this. Authority control can be quite easy. You are simply finding, copying, and pasting. Please refer back to my “Searching the AF for names” document, the podcast, and the videos.