[Yulcat-l] Library of Congress files frozen during their migration to unicode

[Joan Swanekamp]

The LC Voyager ILS will suspend general operations in order to implement 
Unicode at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, 28 October 2005.

 From October 30-November 10, 2005, the Library of Congress will convert 
its Integrated Library System to Unicode.  During that time, the LC 
database will be in read-only mode and will be accessible for searching by 
users.  The LC ILS upgrade will impact some PCC activities.

SACO

The Cooperative Cataloging Team will be able to receive either new SACO 
proposals or revisions to existing LCSH.  During this time, however, the 
Coop Team will not be able to process SACO proposals or revisions.  This 
will create a delay in processing as a backlog develops.

Classification proposals, similarly, cannot be processed during this period.

NACO

NACO members will be able contribute new records and revisions. These 
contributions will be held at LC for processing and re-distribution at the 
end of the implementation period.  Therefore NACO participants will not see 
their contributions in the LC/NACO Authority File until after November 14, 
2005.

The Cooperative Cataloging Team will not be able to perform bibliographic 
file maintenance reported by members, delete or revise duplicate name 
authority records, or resolve conflict situations.  NACO members should 
arrange with their LC liaison to hold such reports at the institution or to 
report to the LC liaison to hold until November 14, 2005.

NACO members under review may continue to provide records as usual through 
their utility under existing arrangements with their reviewer.

Keep in mind, however, that approved and contributed records will not be 
available in the copies of the LC/NACO Authority File at LC, OCLC, RLG, or 
the British Library due to the hiatus in processing and 
distribution.  There will be increased possibility of duplication or 
conflict in authority records.

Literary author numbers (053 requests) cannot be processed during this period.

Other

Members of the Coop Team will continue to be in residence at the Library of 
Congress during this break in activity. Team members will be available to 
answer inquiries and consult with members as usual. Regular non-automated 
activities such as training and documentation will go on.