Frequently Asked Questions
If a work about a literary author addresses both his life and his works, how do we decide whether to use "Criticism and interpretation" or the author's name alone with "Biography" after the class of person? Can "Biography" and "Criticism and interpretation" both be used on one record?
Here's a response from CPSO:
"An answer from CPSO!
According to SCM H1110, the subdivision --Criticism and interpretation should be used for works without biographical details. So using [name of author]--Criticism and interpretation and then using the fixed field code for biography would be incorrect. If the work is a "life and works" type of publication, the name of the person should be used without subdivision. In that case a fixed field code of biography may be used."
My response to this is that LC has not always done what this says. There are several examples of DLC records having "Biography" and "Criticism and interpretation" subdivisions. I would say for the most part, follow the above response, but if in your "judgment", the record needs both subdivisions, go ahead and use both.
Don Jones
July 19, 2006