Name Authority Records – A Primer for Scholars and Researchers

Abstract

Name authority work is integral to documenting and properly identifying scholarly activity. Often thought about as merely an aspect of cataloging, name authority records are increasingly of value to researchers. Scholars might consider ORCID, a rival project, to address all research requirements. But ORCID and other projects cannot substitute for proper identification of "who did what" with respect to authorship in a manner that only name authority work can achieve.

In recent years the scope of coverage of information documented in name authority records has become increasingly diverse, and details of such data have been parsed out in numerous ways, readying them for use with linked data. Drawing from extensive personal experience, the presenter will demonstrate how communication with scholars via email and consultation of pertinent Internet resources has resulted in improvements for all.