In January 2017, MARCIVE announced Comprehensive Notification Service, or CNS. This was spearheaded by our former Director of Bibliographic and Authority Services, Mary Mastraccio, after years of identifying deficiencies in maintaining only the authority files for libraries.  This has been a challenging undertaking; involving most staff members and partner libraries.  We have received great feedback from customers that we used to create additional options to make the service as flexible and user-friendly as possible.

Fun CNS Facts (as of December 2019):

•  We have 45+ customers
•  Roughly half of the libraries are academics and half publics, plus 3 school libraries, and a government library
• 13 different library systems are represented
• Semi-annually update frequency is the most popular one, followed by yearly update
• The smallest backfile had 36,021 bib records, and the largest to date had 5,904,972 initial bib records

MARCIVE receives commonly-asked questions and has created a FAQ sheet to be provided to new CNS customers.  A question that cannot readily be answered is how many records your library will receive at an update.  Since CNS has three scheduling options:  annually, semi-annually and quarterly, the amount of records that reflect changes naturally goes up the more time has passed. But other cataloging updates from PCC (Program for Cooperative Cataloging), large changes from the Library of Congress (RDA changes, for example), or changes to profile specifications (e.g. examining FAST terms), or MARCIVE upgrades (like fine-tuning our genre processing) can have an impact.  Broadly speaking, a CNS customer can expect to receive 5-15% changed bib records with each scheduled update.

The most exciting aspect of Comprehensive Notification Service is the ability for libraries to receive bibliographic record updates as a subscription, ensuring the catalog is always as current as possible. Another important thing to note is the flexibility in choosing options.  For example, your library may not be interested in adding identifiers to the records currently (Subfield 0 URI or control number), but can choose to add the option at a later update, without having to plan or allocate funding for a stand-alone catalog enhancement.

Just signed up for CNS and have questions?  Start here with this document.

Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] for a consultation on our services.

February 7, 2019

Two years ago, we added the FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology) vocabulary to the list of vocabularies we process in authorities processing.    This means that as a profile option, we can automatically review and provide maintenance on them.

For more information on FAST access point options, go here.

At the request of a customer, we now have the option to create FAST access points based on LC subject access points.  This happens only when the associated LC access point has been validated, flipped, or split, and the link between the LC term and the FAST term has been established and verified.  This processing is based on the presence of the LC authority record control number in the 7XX field of the FAST authority record, meaning that FAST has stated that these are the same.  Matching authority records will automatically be supplied, unless the library has indicated that they are not needed.  There is no additional charge for this processing.

Example:

LC access point:                       650 _0 $aRivers.  (matched to LC authority record sh 85114250)

FAST access point supplied: 650 _7 $aRivers. $fast OR

650_7 $aRivers. $fast $0fst01098312

(Subfield 0 added if the library has chosen URI additions as a part of the processing).

The access point was generated based on the presence of:

750 _0$aRivers $0(DLC)sh 85114250 in the FAST authority record.

Note to Comprehensive Notification Service (CNS) subscribers:  You can ask that this processing be added with your next update at no additional charge.  Yet another reason why CNS is a great deal!  We can re-process your bibliographic database at the frequency chosen with this new option.

For more information, contact us at [email protected]

Written by Joan Chapa, MLS

November 1, 2018

In February 2017, MARCIVE released a new product that helps libraries keep a better handle on how authorities processing is performed in their ILS or LSP.  Over the years, customers had commented how once an initial backfile authorities processing project was completed and Standard Notification Service was begun, their systems didn’t always do a good job using the monthly updated authority records to revise the associated bibliographic records.  It was difficult to pinpoint why and in what cases an access point would not be updated, even though the proper information was present in the revised authority record.

Comprehensive Notification Service retains the bibliographic as well as the authority records, and periodically refreshes them using the newest authorities files on either a quarterly, biannual, or yearly frequency.  Only the bib records that reflect a change are provided, along with new/changed/deleted authority records.

Access points that were previously unmatched are updated when matched to new authority records through CNS.  Any new fields reflected by new policies in RDA, and continual improvements to MARCIVE processing are also seen.

The number of records changed is typically less than 5%, but different factors can affect the statistics:

–A change to a prolific access point is released by LC, so many records are affected.

–Changes in a profile option.  For example: A library that didn’t ask for processing of FAST access points at the onset and later requests it will see a large increase of changed records.  Or a library that decided to have URI identifiers added to their processing asked us to add that free option with the next update.

Subscribers can send in both bib and authority deletes before the next processing to keep the history files current.

If a library decides they don’t want to track deletes because they weed a great deal, or don’t have the staff to keep up can send their entire database to replace the current history and use that as the input file.

Although CNS was created with Ex Libris Alma members in mind, there are 10 different systems among customers of public, military, and academic libraries of various sizes.  Both public and academic consortia are represented as well.

For more information, please go to https://home.marcive.com/blog/new-comprehensive-notification-services-cns

January 25, 2018

Now as a part of RDA processing performed during authorities processing, we have the ability to create fields that can assist with formulating format facets, and prepare for linked data.    These new 34X fields provide consistency in describing the characteristics of various formats.  They are:

340      Physical Medium
344      Sound Characteristics
345      Projection Characteristics of Moving Image
346      Video Characteristics
347      Digital File Characteristics
348      Format of Notated Music

The conversion is only as good as the data elements that typically are already present in the MARC record in various fields and subfields.  Our processing looks at the LDR, 007, 008, 300, 533, and 538 fields to accurately create the new 34X fields.

Libraries looking to do authorities processing and RDA conversion on their legacy cataloging records can have this new processing included.  Existing customers can request that we add this option to any new bibliographic records sent for processing.  And even better yet—Comprehensive Notification customers can have this option applied with their next processing run—essentially having the entire backfile performed to include new RDA tags.  There is no additional charge for this option.

Here are some examples.

Interested in learning more?  Send us a sample and we can show you all the good we can do to make your records more useable.  Contact us at [email protected].

Written by Joan I. Chapa, MLS

July 31, 2017

Our new Comprehensive Notification Service (CNS) has many good benefits and one, in particular, was illustrated with the recent quarterly re-processing of a customer’s bibliographic file.

It was noted that 97.9% of their bibliographic records would be returned to them because of one or more changes made.  Earlier this year, the MARC Advisory Committee made the recommendation to remove the use of a Parenthetical Prefix
“(uri)” in MARC21 linking subfields when the identifier is in the form of a web retrieval protocol.  This change was implemented in our processing, and impacted this customer’s records.  A small percentage of records were not returned, only because we had already previously processed them through Overnight Authorities Service, with the new programming already in place. Ultimately, 100% of their records were affected, bringing them up to current practice.

As national standards change, and we incorporate those improvements into our work, CNS libraries will reap the benefits when the bib file that we have retained for them is entirely re-processed at a frequency of their choice.

For more information on how CNS can provide benefits to your library, go to https://home.marcive.com/blog/new-comprehensive-notification-services-cns

Written by Joan Chapa, MLS

February 23, 2017

Now we have an alternative way to keep your catalog up to date after the initial authorities processing/RDA Conversion project has been completed, through Comprehensive Notification Service (CNS).

We will retain both a copy of the matching authority records we supplied as well as the updated bibliographic records.  You should continue to send us new cataloging through Overnight Authorities Service on any time frame desired—daily, weekly, monthly, etc.  There’s never a minimum order, the work is done overnight, and updated bib records are posted the next business day for FTP retrieval, along with any requested reports.  The results of this processing are added to both the retained bib and authority files.

Then at the frequency of the library’s choosing, we will re-process the bibliographic records using all the same specifications, returning to the library only the changed bibliographic records, any NEW authority records, as well as authority records changed or deleted by LC, along with any reports.

Why would a library choose this subscription instead of Standard Notification Service?

CNS is a desirable method of maintaining records if your library’s ILS or library service platform does not have the function to fully update the corresponding bibliographic record with the corrected access point.  Sometimes the system has the capability but has difficulty converting the entire string in an access point.  CNS keeps a copy of your bibliographic records and the authority record files provide by MARCIVE.  The library chooses how often to update:  Quarterly, Semi-annual or Annual.  Pricing varies depending on the size of the bibliographic file, and how often you request the update. We ask you to list preferred dates for the bib updates.

What’s included with the Comprehensive Authorities Notification Service?

1.     Flip of access points to current LC practice.  This includes the update of access points that were not recognized when we did the initial processing.
2.     Inclusion of any NEW authority records on matched access points.
3.     Inclusion of any CHANGED authority records on access points that first matched during the initial processing, and any authority records deleted by LC.  It additionally includes differentiated authority records which were formerly undifferentiated.
4.     Undifferentiated-Differentiated.

In identified bib records, the access point will now match to a new authority record and the bib record will be changed.  Note:  several sources are used (e.g. 670 field, VIAF record, etc.) to verify a proper match.

5.     Partial matches that become full-string matches.
6.     Terms that change tagging.
7.     Fields that reflect changes in RDA.

What’s NOT included in Comprehensive Authorities Notification Service (CNS)?

If any type of enrichment (TOC, Summaries, Fiction/Biography data, Lexile or Accelerated Reader) is a part of your profile, that data will not be added during the re-processing of the bibliographic records during CNS.  This only happens during Overnight Authorities Service, or as a stand-alone project.

Commonly Asked Questions ABOUT CNS

1.     It’s time for my first update, and I haven’t yet sent any new records for processing, but I want them included.  What should I do?

MARCIVE Response:  Go ahead and send the file now, just as you normally would through Overnight Authorities Processing.  You’ll be charged the standard rates for this work.  These bibliographic records will be included in the update and will be added to the retained bib file.

2.     It’s time for our update, and our systems librarian is out on medical leave.  Can we re-schedule?

MARCIVE Response:  Yes.  Let us know when you are ready for this work.  Remember that you have pre-paid for the subscription and your updates need to occur within the subscription year.

3.     We have performed a large weeding project in our library and deleted a number of bibliographic records.  How do we let you know what we have deleted?

MARCIVE Response:  There are two ways to do this.  We can provide directions for sending us the control numbers of the bibliographic records to be deleted, and they will be removed from your history at the quoted rates.  The alternative method is to send us your entire bib file again, and we will replace your retained bib file with the new one.  Contact your Marketing Representative for a quote.

4.     We’re completing our profile with MARCIVE, and are trying to decide which Notification subscription is best for us.  Can you help us choose?

MARCIVE Response:  CNS was created in response to those libraries stating that while their ILS or LSP could update the main bib access point in a string using an updated authority record, often it could not update it if there were subfields included.

If your system can reliably perform this function, then we would suggest you choose the Standard Notification Subscription. Authority records are retained in your “history file.”  Also, we retain any unmatched headings for future updates through the NewMatch option.  You send new cataloging to us through Overnight Authorities Service, and any authority records produced are compared to your history file, and only those new to you are distributed.  These new authority records are added to your history file, which continues to grow.  With this subscription, you’ll rely on your local ILS or LSP to use the monthly files of changed/deleted authority records to update the associated bib records.  The advantage to this subscription is that because you get monthly updates, your catalog will be more current and in sync.

If your system has an issue with using an authority record to update an entire access point string, or there are problems running authority updates on a monthly basis, then CNS would likely be the better option.  Your entire bib file will be completely refreshed at the time interval of your choice and will include any new standard bibliographic processing functions that we have added.  The library does need to be aware that any access point that is processed through authorities processing and RDA conversion may overlay and therefore remove any in-house editing unless internal protections have been put in place.

5.     We are planning to do authorities processing/RDA conversion in preparation for migrating from a legacy system to ExLibris Alma.  We won’t be able to or need to do any ongoing authority work, will we?

MARCIVE Response:  According to reports from Alma users, there is an internal mechanism to automatically link bib access points to an external authority file.  However, this doesn’t always work as well as expected.  While Alma users don’t have the need for authority records, we can still process new cataloging through Overnight Authorities after the initial project has been performed, and more importantly, refresh the bib file on a periodic basis through CNS.  This frees the cataloging staff from having to continually confirm that bib access points are indeed being updated.  Additionally as described above, the library will benefit from any new options that have been developed as a result of RDA and other new cataloging standards and implemented for this service.

Further questions?  Would like some examples of changes provided through CNS? Give us a call at 1-800-531-7678 or email us at [email protected], and we will be happy to discuss your options and provide pricing.

Written by Joan Chapa, MLS