(Apologies for cross-posting.)
The ALA Core Subject Analysis Committee's Working Group on $v Retention invites you to participate in a survey investigating potential impacts on library collections, catalogs, staff, and patrons of the Library of Congress' omission of form subdivisions ($v) in subject headings as part of their "Modern MARC" cataloging practice. (For a detailed explanation of the change, a periodically-updated informational statement from the Working Group can be found here.)
This survey is intended for library workers, archivists, and others utilizing Library of Congress subject headings in their institutions. Please feel free to share widely with anyone you think might be affected by the omission of $v and interested in providing feedback.
The survey will take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete; it contains three sections related to genres and form subdivisions ($v) in your catalog and library processes. You will also be asked to identify the kind of library you work for and your role(s), the ILS (integrated library system) and discovery layer/public-facing catalog your institution uses, and which library information networks you utilize. The survey is anonymous and does not collect personal information of any kind. Survey results will be used to inform the Working Group's advocacy work.
Please click the following link to participate: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerZt_dstDv9QM27YRX4n__c59AgztlyjXXw2mzCTXQAQLzZg/viewform?usp=dialog
The survey will close on Friday, September 19, 2025.
If you have questions about the survey or Working Group, please email Deborah.Tomaras@marist.edu.
Thank you for contributing to the conversation!
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Deborah Tomaras
Metadata and Resource Management Librarian
Marist University, James A. Cannavino Library
She/Her/Hers
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