The University of New Mexico University Libraries Resources for Catalogers
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Updated: 9/30/03

Program for Cooperative Cataloging

Expectations, Parameters and Guidelines for
UNMUL Participating Catalogers

UNMUL Cataloging Units Participation in the PCC

The UNMUL is an institutional member of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging and has achieved independent status for the NACO and BIBCO components of the program. UNMUL also participates in the SACO component of the program. Catalogers who have received NACO, or BIBCO and NACO training are encourage to participate in cataloging at the national level.

Fundamental Expectation

Participating catalogers have:
  • cataloging expertise; they are able to locate and correctly apply all applicable rules and standards
  • subject expertise appropriate for the work in hand
  • language expertise appropriate for the work in hand

NACO Program Parameters

The underlying principle of the NACO Program is that participants agree to follow a common set of standards and guidelines when creating or changing authority records in order to maintain the integrity of a large shared authority file, building a consistent and predictable file that will reduce the duplication of efforts of the global library community and maximize its resources. PCC catalogers have a responsibility to bear in mind the needs of all users.

UNMUL NACO Guidelines

  • The PCC and the UNMUL encourage catalogers to contribute authority records which are timely and which can be widely used by the cataloging community
  • UNMUL emphasizes the creation of authority records for new headings
  • Authority records for non-Roman language headings will not be contributed to NACO; create such headings as local authority records
  • Authority records for authors of theses will not be contributed to NACO; create such headings as local authority records
  • All NACO contributions will be reviewed by the Cataloging Resources Coordinator, post-contribution. Catalogers will be advised when corrections are required, when duplicate records are found and when the Library of Congress edits or cancels records which they have contributed.
  • Catalogers may revise existing authority records in the NACO NAF only in the following cases:
    • The 1XX heading is incorrect
    • Required cross references are added (supported by a 670 field)
    • An 053 LC literary author cutter number is added
    • With piece in hand, dates and/or fuller forms of names not already in an authority record may be added in a very concise 670 so that in the event of a conflict that information may be used. Do not routinely add 670 fields that do not support a new, required cross reference to authority records. Exercise restraint and judgment when adding informational 670 fields.
NACO participants agree to use the most current edition, including updates where applicable, of the following documentation:

Participants are expected to comply with established guidelines found in NACO documentation and policy statements:

BIBCO Program Parameters

The BIBCO Program promotes standardized cataloging of materials in a timely, cost effective manner which will facilitate the creation of usable cataloging copy to be shared with the global library community.

UNMUL BIBCO Guidelines

  • The department emphasizes the creation of new PCC records
  • PCC records are created for monographs only
  • New PCC records should be created at the BIBCO Full Level
  • All headings in PCC records will be supported by NACO authority records, including all records required in a hierarchy
  • If the LC classification number to be assigned to a BIBCO record requires a topical cutter that has not been established by LC, an LC classification proposal must be submitted. Notify the Cataloging Resources Coordinator who will submit the proposal
  • Do not upgrade 090 records to PCC status unless headings in the record are incorrect or the record has major errors. Do not 'tweak' 090 records just to upgrade them to PCC status
  • Per BIBCO policy, typographical errors and errors in content designation in PCC records should be corrected by participating catalogers. Other questions about PCC records should be handled by the BIBCO Liaison (the Cataloging Resources Coordinator) who will contact the BIBCO Liaison of the library that contributed the PCC record
  • Catalogers will report the number of PCC records they contribute each month to the Cataloging Resources Coordinator

BIBCO participants agree to use the most current edition, including updates where applicable, of the following documentation:

Participants using LCSH are expected to adhere to the principles and policies for its application and formulation as stated in current documentation issued by LC
In print or on Classification Web

Participants using LCC are expected to adhere to the principles and policies for its application and formulation as stated in current documentation issued by LC or in commercially available versions of the schedules
In print or on Classification Web

Participants contributing full level bibliographic records must comply with the series policies and procedures as stated in the LC Descriptive Cataloging Manual (DCM) Section Z1 and in the LCRIs
Web or print versions or on Cataloger's Desktop

Participants are expected to comply with established guidelines found in BIBCO documentation and policy statements:

SACO Program Parameters

The Subject Authority Cooperative Program (SACO) was established to provide a means for libraries to submit subject headings and classification numbers to the Library of Congress via the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC).

UNMUL SACO Guidelines

  • If a needed heading is not yet established in the LC subject authority file, nor able to be constructed using established headings and free-floating subdivisions, then a new subject heading should be formulated and proposed via SACO
  • Only geographic subject heading authority records may be created locally
  • If the LC classification number to be assigned to a BIBCO record requires a topical cutter that has not been established by LC, an LC classification proposal must be submitted
  • Consult the Cataloging Resources Coordinator regarding any SACO subject heading or classification proposal. The Coordinator will submit the proposals to LC