The Authority tab contains the authority record used to validate bibliographic record headings. For detailed entry information, go to the MARC 21 Concise Format for Authority Data (http://lcweb.loc.gov/marc/authority/ecadhome.html) documentation from the Library of Congress.
MARC View vs. Descriptive View Display
Default properties can be selected to display the record in MARC View or Descriptive View. MARC View displays all fields (fixed and variable) as individual tag entries. Descriptive View displays fixed fields and variable fields (entries) in two separate panes. The record’s fixed fields display in the upper pane with descriptive labels similar to those used in OCLC for fixed length data. Variable fields display in the lower pane as individual tag entries.
Fixed Fields
Fixed fields are part of a MARC 21 authority record. SirsiDynix Symphony uses descriptive labels similar to those used in OCLC for fixed length data for Authority records. In MARC 21, these fields are found in the Leader, Directory, and 000-008 tags of the authority record. The fixed fields contain codes identifying specific features of the authority being described. Fixed fields can be used across bibliographic and authority MARC 21 formats, but may have different functions in different formats.
Default properties can be selected to control whether or not fixed fields display on the Authority tab. MARC View displays fixed fields along with the variable fields as individual tag entries. Descriptive View displays fixed fields separately (upper pane) with descriptive labels similar to those used in OCLC for fixed length data.
Non-MARC 21 records do not display a fixed field area.
Variable Data Fields
The variable fields (entries) pane contains the primary term heading, in addition to other forms of the heading, broader, narrower, and related terms, and history and verification information about the heading. Bibliographic entries are matched against these terms for authorization.
The fields that display are based on the Format defined on the Control tab. Authority records have entries, or tags, similar to bibliographic records. Each entry is made up of an entry ID, indicators and text data. The entries that display for a new authority are based on the TEMPLATE entries defined for the selected format. The format determines the display of the template on the tab when the record is created.
Entries that your library has defined as mandatory display in the workform with **REQUIRED** in the data field. If you want to type data in entries not present on the blank workform, use the Before and After helpers to include additional entries. Blank entries added will not display a descriptive label until you click Save. Use the Delete helper to delete an entry.
Once a record has been entered, changing the record format using the Modify Authority wizard cannot present the blank entries that would display for a new format. If the format is modified, it is necessary to use the Before and After helpers to add the fields for the new format. For additional subject information, go to http://lcweb.loc.gov/cds/lcsh.html.
You can use the Editor window to edit records. The Editor contains brief definitions for the MARC fields, subfields, and indicators in the record. For more information on using the Editor, go to About the Record Editor Window.
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