Correcting “the 653 problem” how to search for it, recognize it from a printout, and correct it

NOTE: This does not apply to institutions that migrated to I-Share Voyager in 2003 or after. This also does not apply to those I-Share Voyager libraries that did not use the bibliographic master records converted from DRA (e.g. UIC, SIUM, IIT). However, any I-Share Voyager library that copies records from the I-Share Universal Catalog may have inadvertently copied records containing these 653 fields into their catalog.

What is “the 653 problem”?

During the migration of bibliographic data from FBR to DRA, alternate title fields with a blank 2nd indicator were mapped to the 653 field, which is a subject field defined as “Index term—Uncontrolled”. The problem originated in the relatively distant consortial past, when alternate title fields (246s and 740s) had to be mapped to the 247 field in FBR to be searchable as title phrases.

What problems does it create in my current database?

All words in the 653 field are searchable as keywords, so the incorrect mapping does not create problems in that regard. However, if one wishes to retrieve bibliographic records using title phrases, the titles that are incorrectly in 653 fields will be missed.

What do I do to fix it?

Run an SQL query against the reports server for all bibliographic records in your database that contain a 653 field.

Choose one of two potential methods for correction, or develop your own alternative, depending on the needs of your library.
Option 1:
- Examine each record noted in the report from the SQL query.
- Clues that the 653 content is an alternative title:
  - there is a single subfield a instead of several subfield as
  - the content is a long phrase instead of single words in separate subfields
  - the 653 field contains a phrase which you would put in a 246 or 740 if you were cataloging the item originally
- If needed, correct the tag and indicator to correctly reflect that the field contains an alternative title. Move the field to the appropriate location in the bibliographic record. Save the record to the database.
- Repeat for each record noted in the report from the SQL query, changing only those records for which a 653 field contains a title phrase. If in doubt, do not change it (i.e. do no harm).
Option 2:
- Use the OCLC numbers of the records retrieved in the SQL query to replace the existing records in your catalog. [NOTE: this will wipe out any changes you have made to the Voyager bibliographic record. But it may also load an updated/enhanced version of the OCLC master record. It is up to you and your library to decide which is best for your library.]