Validation on Voyager: Authority

Voyager validation

Authority validation
General info.
Using validation

Using authority validation on Voyager

This page provides specific examples of types of headings, the validation messages you might see, and what action is required.

What to do with subjects marked "Heading validated":

Congratulate yourself on a job well done.

What to do with subjects marked "Partial Heading Validation":

The portion of the subject appearing in the far right column matches an authority record. Any elements not appearing in the final column must be either places, if the subject allows geographic subdivision, or a subdivision appearing on one of the free-floating lists.

What to do with personal or corporate names marked "Heading validated":

Congratulate yourself on a job well done.

(NOTE: If you have a personal name with no dates and very common elements, like William Thompson, it is wise to view the authority record to ensure that you have the heading for the correct person.)

What to do with personal or corporate names marked "Partial Heading Validation":

This message usually, but not always, indicates a problem with the heading. If the name has been used as a subject, and the partial match includes all elements of the name but does not include subject subdivisions (|x, |y, |v, and |z), the heading is OK. If however part of the name (|b, |c, |q, or |d) is not included in the partial match, further work needs to be done.

For conference headings, if the partial match includes the entire conference heading with the exception of the number, date, and place qualifiers, the heading is verified--just double-check the qualifiers.

What to do with headings marked "See Reference":

This message means that the heading in the bib record matches a reference on the authority record. Highlight the line, click the "Retrieve auth" button to display the authority record. Copy the heading in the 1xx field on the authority record and replace the existing heading in your bib record with this text.

What to do with headings which are marked "Nonexistent Heading":

This means that the heading does not match an authority record. If the heading is a name which you have created a NACO record for, make sure it matches the form on your authority record. Otherwise, a valid heading must be found. Make sure to check your heading for typos.

What to do with subject subdivisions marked "Nonexistent" or "Non-Authorized":

Scan the text in the "Bib Heading" column for errors and typos. If there are none, determine whether or not the subdivision is acceptable based on your knowledge or by consulting a list of valid subdivisions. Do NOT create any subdivision authority records.

What to do with subjects or subject subdivisions marked "Heading Validated--Cosmetic Differences":

Check your heading over carefully. There is a difference in the punctuation between your heading and the authority record. In particular, look for differences in the subfield (x vs. v), diacritics, and capitalization.

What to do with series marked "Heading Validated--Cosmetic Differences":

Check your heading over carefully. There may be a difference in the punctuation between your heading and the authority record. In particular, look for differences in diacritics, and capitalization. Note that this message always occurs when using a 440 field with a non-filing indicator--when this is the case, ignore the message.

NOTES:

--specific dates are NOT free-floating they must match an auth record
--some form subdivisions don't validate with the proper subfield code. If you have used the correct subfield value (v for form subdivisions), ignore the error message.

Examples of valid subdivisions with no authority record
(the subdivision line will appear marked "Nonexistent subdivision")

Examples of valid subdivisions with an authority record
(the subdivision line will appear marked "Subdivision validated")