Applied Authority Control

Authority control is a concept that encompasses the many activities that catalogers undertake to clarify the terms used to provide access to resources. We apply authority control during the cataloging workflow when we assign name, subject, and series title headings as access points to the bib record. This multi-step process involves identifying the appropriate person, title, or subject; searching an authorities list or database for the authorized term; and finally copying that term to the correct field in the bib record.

In the video tutorial Applied Authority Control, the eighth in the ongoing Cataloging Fundamentals video series, we’ll walk through the basic steps of applying authority control in the context of a cataloging workflow. Your implementation of these steps will vary according to the capabilities of your cataloging software and your local practices.

The Cataloging Fundamentals video series is one component of the Cataloging Fundamentals Program. If you have ideas for a future video or about how to support new catalogers in Colorado, please drop me a line at hitchner_a@cde.state.co.us.