Cataloging and Preserving the Shakespeare Collection (NEH)
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Cataloging and Preserving the Shakespeare Collection is a grant project funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, begun 1 May 2010 and still continuing as of 1 May 2014. A book-in-hand recataloging project, its purpose is to create and enhance bibliographic access to each edition and copy of Shakespeare in print held at the Folger, adding personal and corporate name headings for editors, translators, printers, booksellers, publishers, engravers, and artists; along with copy-specific descriptions of former owners or other unique characteristics. The project includes rehousing fragile volumes in protective phase boxes.
Authority Research Clean-up
During the course of the project, Folger catalogers started focusing their time and attention on describing the volumes, passing off the addition of authorized access points (also known as "tracing") to the Hamnet records for illustrative and booktrade personnel to a volunteer. The volunteer searched the LC/NACO Authority File, adding the access points for all established names, and keeping a spreadsheet of the names that were not in the authority file. The authority research clean-up project involves researching the names and creating preliminary name authority records that will be completed by regular catalogers.
- Do a thorough search of the authority file to confirm that a name authority record (NAR) for the entity does not exist. Prefer the Connexion search function over the authority file as housed on the LC website, which is limited to left-anchored searches.
- Search standard references sources for each class of entity and copy information to temporary workspace.
- Google the names if not found in reference sources