- Adding access points:You may add access points (subject headings, author-, series-, and title-added entries) to a bib record, but you should not delete existing access points unless specifically directed to do so by Minerva documentation. All added access points should be formed properly based on MARC 21 and RDA rules.
- Subject heading indicators:
Proper designation of subject heading fields is crucial for supporting subject indexing and for maintenance of the authority control structures in the system. Proper values must be entered in the second indicator position of 6xx fields: 0 for Library of Congress, 1 for LC Children’s Subject Heading Project, 2 for National Library of Medicine, 4 for local, and 7 for a subject heading source named in the |2 subfield. Do not use Sears headings, BISAC headings, or OCLC “fast” headings in Minerva records. - Refrain from adding a new subject heading if that heading already exists as a cross reference in the catalog.
An established principle within Minerva is that libraries may add new access points (6xx subject headings and 5xx notes) if they are generally applicable and are properly designated following MARC 21 and RDA practice.For subject headings, this means proper use of subfields and, especially, proper use of the 2nd indicator to specify the source of a heading.However, if the subject heading a library wishes to add is already present as a SEE reference to an LC subject heading, using the non-LC heading will serve to confuse rather than aid the user. In this case, adding a heading that is identical to a SEE cross reference is actually duplicating access points to no constructive end.
Before adding non-LC subject headings, catalogers are asked to search the catalog for that heading and, if there is a SEE reference from that heading to an LC heading, to refrain from adding the heading.
(from old website before 2007)
Updated March 23, 2016emc
Reviewed October 29, 2024ch
