Uniform Titles for Bible

[Daniel Lovins]

Dear colleagues,

At our June meeting in Cambridge we briefly discussed a proposal from Barbara Tillett to alter the way Biblical uniform titles are structured.
 
The Christian bias inherent to terms like O.T and N.T. (along with "B.C.", "A.D.", etc.) have long forced some of us to deviate from AACR2, despite our attempts otherwise to comply with national standards. Barbara is suggesting a technique for reducing this bias as part of an effort to make RDA a more international, objective cataloging code than AACR2 has been.
 
As the AJL liaison to ALA’s Committee on Cataloging: Description and Access (CCDA), one of the principle review bodies for RDA, I'd like to ask that you read this proposal and send your comments to me. I would then be able to submit report to CCDA for their consideration.

Would you be able to send comments by August 20th?

I have a few questions to get us started, but please feel free to bring up whatever you think is most important:
 
1. To what extent does this proposal bring cataloging rules in line with the literature we catalog? In other words, how strong is the literary warrant for the proposed change?
 
2. Given the proposal’s reliance on “an optional approach”, what would be the effect on collocation? For example, under the proposed language, some libraries could continue to use the phrase “Old Testament” in uniform titles, while others could exercise the option of replacing it with “Hebrew Bible” or "Tanakh”. What effect would this have on copy cataloging operations?  E.g., do we allow more variance within our catalogs or do we step up editing of imported records?

3. Individual books of scripture would be entered directly under “Bible”, i.e., without the intervening “O.T.” and “N.T.”, so you'd get headings like: “Bible. Ezra” and “Bible. Revelation”. I assume most OPAC displays would subarrange Biblical books alphabetically, thereby mixing up the Tanakh books with those from the New Testament. Would you/your patrons consider this a worthwhile trade-off?

Thanks for your interest, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Daniel

Daniel Lovins
Hebraica Team Leader
Catalog Department
Sterling Memorial Library
Yale University
PO Box 208240
New Haven, CT 06520
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
tel: 203/432-1707
fax: 203/432-7231
Daniel Lovins
Hebraica Team Leader
Catalog Department
Sterling Memorial Library
Yale University
PO Box 208240
New Haven, CT 06520
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
tel: 203/432-1707
fax: 203/432-7231