Updating Place Names in the Name Authority File to Reflect Political Realities: The Cases of Crimea, Taiwan, and Myanmar

Abstract

There are certain place names in the name authority file that cause difficulties because their established forms do not reflect political realities. Names of jurisdictions are established on the basis of Resource Description & Access and the LC-PCC policy statements. The difficulties stem in part from the policy of the Library of Congress, as a U.S. government agency, to adhere to the decisions of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, but also from a misunderstanding of the role of that board. The cases of Crimea, Taiwan, and Myanmar are examined. Recommendations are made for changes to the access points.