Developing Priorities for Authority Work at the University at Buffalo Libraries

Abstract

A sample was taken of the name/title provisional, or minimal-level, authority records created by Blackwell North America, Inc., during its authority control processing in preparation for the implementation of NOTIS at the State University of New York at Buffalo Libraries. Analysis of the sample showed that approximately 10% of these provisional records were created unnecessarily, while approximately 7% had Library of Congress Name Authority File records established since the vendor's work was completed. The remaining 83%, which will require original authority work in order to be upgraded to full status, are categorized in such a manner as to determine the best approach to achieving the Libraries' goal of absolute authority control.