[Metadatalibrarians] separating first and last names

[Kevin S. Clarke]

On Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 1:32 PM, Ross Singer <rossfsinger at gmail.com> wrote:

> One text box and some AACR2 rules, in this regard, right or wrong, is
> a lot easier for all parties:  data enterer, database designer,
> standards committee, etc.

I'm also not sure what 'easier' in this context means.  To take one
thing in and spit one thing out one box is easier sure, but if you
want to build a list of last names having one text string makes it a
little more difficult.  I think it depends on how you want to use the
data.  If you don't know I think more granular is better.  It gives
you more flexibility (both in the positive and negative senses).  I've
heard the counter argument (from librarians) though that library
systems don't take advantage of the distinctions that we do make
though... why would we want to throw more into the mix?

Kevin


-- 
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