Search the LC authority file for existing records
Discover how to search the LC authority file for existing records in Connexion client.
Search the LC authority file for an existing record
Before creating a name authority record, search the LC authority file for the heading, including alternative forms of the heading. In addition, search WorldCat for bibliographic records that contain the heading or alternative forms of the heading. For more information about searching, see Search the LC authority file interactively or Enter LC authority file searches for batch processing.
| If you find ... | Do this ... |
|---|---|
| Record that matches the heading exactly | Use the record as is (e.g., export it). Or Edit it to correct or expand information about the heading. See Edit authority records for more details. |
| Record that nearly matches the heading | Derive a new record from the existing record to reuse the matching information and revise the remainder of the record. See Create a name authority record from an existing record for more details. |
| Heading used in a bibliographic record that meets NACO criteria for a heading source | Use an OCLC-supplied macro to generate a record using the heading in the bibliographic record. See Generate a name authority record from a name heading using an OCLC-supplied macro for more details. |
| No matching records | Create a name authority record for the heading. |
Open MARC field Help
For assistance any time while you create a record, open the MARC field description for any field or fixed field element:
- Navigate to Help > MARC Field Help, click the MARC Field Help button (
), or press <Ctrl><F1>. A description of the specific field or fixed-field element where the cursor is located opens.