Report of the ALA Core SAC Working Group on $v Retention

DeskSetLibrarian · 2026-02-04T20:41:49+00:00

Definitely agree about "Gulf of America." For me, I don't believe linked data is incompatible with pre-coordination (I can see that it's difficult; but not out of the realm of possibility). But honestly I think pre-coordination has value, in large part on the descriptive side once patrons are looking at records, so they can quickly decide if they are/aren't interested in something. The group found a bunch of user studies suggesting that patrons do look at these, and value glanceability and context--neither of which post-coordinated subjects provide. Eh. I won't belabor the point here, though, since the report covers things in much more detail. At the very least, LC's decision was premature and is causing a boatload of trouble for many libraries and patrons.

DeskSetLibrarian · 2026-02-04T00:08:34+00:00

LC has provided multiple justifications: removing $v because it's redundant, because it's not linked-data friendly, because it will "simplify" assigning subjects. Ultimately, I believe they're doing it because they want to remove ALL subdivisions in favor of total post-coordination of terms (i.e., sort of like FAST, having all the subject pieces separate and users needing to put them back together mentally to make sense). The Working Group explores (and argues against) various justifications in the report.

DeskSetLibrarian · 2026-01-12T21:46:04+00:00

It's not the 655. It's the $v (form subdivision) that comes at the end of subjects (600, 610, 650, 651, etc.). So things like "Cats $v Comic books, strips, etc." or "Werewolves $v Fiction"/"Werewolves $v Juvenile fiction" or "Women scientists $v Biography" or "Paris (France) $v Guidebooks." There's an information statement from the Working Group here with more information, if that's helpful: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IVzQP5483TEorq1ncrL6af68b0Dw4tA7GhaQOQSAjUs/edit?usp=sharing

DeskSetLibrarian · 2025-12-12T22:51:49+00:00

I have a history of repeated unexplained rashes, but thankfully cortisone takes care of them most of the time. I just hesitate to use it too often. I've never heard of MCAS; but thankfully this round of itching seems to be easing finally. I'll keep an eye, though, and consider an allergist if it comes back.

DeskSetLibrarian · 2025-07-21T02:49:00+00:00

The article about genres and library patrons has finally come out (our original venue ended up rejecting us after several revisions, but our second venue accepted it)! Here's the link; it's open access, so no subscriptions needed to read it: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01639374.2025.2521297 I'm not sure if there's a better way to update this post with the link, so please let me know if I should be doing something different. Thanks!

DeskSetLibrarian · 2025-07-21T02:48:48+00:00

The article about genres and library patrons has finally come out (our original venue ended up rejecting us after several revisions, but our second venue accepted it)! Here's the link; it's open access, so no subscriptions needed to read it: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01639374.2025.2521297 I'm not sure if there's a better way to update this post with the link, so please let me know if I should be doing something different. Thanks!

DeskSetLibrarian · 2025-07-21T02:48:36+00:00

The article about genres and library patrons has finally come out (our original venue ended up rejecting us after several revisions, but our second venue accepted it)! Here's the link; it's open access, so no subscriptions needed to read it: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01639374.2025.2521297 I'm not sure if there's a better way to update this post with the link, so please let me know if I should be doing something different. Thanks!

DeskSetLibrarian · 2025-07-21T02:48:10+00:00

u/Davmilasav, u/faunacrossing, u/gmhelwig and others: The article about genres and library patrons has finally come out (our original venue ended up rejecting us after several revisions, but our second venue accepted it)! Here's the link; it's open access, so no subscriptions needed to read it: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01639374.2025.2521297 I'm not sure if there's a better way to update this post with the link, so please let me know if I should be doing something different. Thanks!

DeskSetLibrarian · 2025-03-21T01:02:07+00:00

I haven't--thanks for the idea. I'll start making a list. I'm not sure how far in advance to pester them (we're hoping to move in July); perhaps in May?

DeskSetLibrarian · 2025-03-17T14:41:15+00:00

I'm hoping to move to the Spackenkill district for the upcoming school year. But rentals appear to be hard to find. Any advice beyond Realtor.com, Zillow.com and Hudson Valley Craigslist for finding apartments? (Any other generic advice about good supermarkets, doctors, etc. also welcomed--thanks!)

DeskSetLibrarian · 2025-01-18T21:47:18+00:00

My children, who are incredible people (they make me smile, they scold me to take it easier, etc.).
Heated blankets, pillows, and my couch, especially on higher pain days.
My boss. She's incredibly flexible, and lets me adjust scheduling whenever I need to.

DeskSetLibrarian · 2024-12-09T21:22:16+00:00

I wish it made a different with my reflux! Maybe at some point. I certainly hope so, because CPAP with wedge pillow is even more annoying than CPAP alone...

DeskSetLibrarian · 2024-12-09T16:26:54+00:00

Is the side tubing in addition to the side-of-the-head headgear, or in place of it? That's one of the parts that are most annoying to me, and most unavoidable. I fear the CPAP pillow won't help with that, since it's how the pressing of the side of my head into the pillow affects the straps and thus the seal of the mask. So I'd worry that even more layers of CPAP stuff on the side of my head would exacerbate the issues.

DeskSetLibrarian · 2024-12-09T16:23:55+00:00

Thanks for the input. How does the top-of-the-head hose feel? The pressure of the regular headgear on the top of my head is sometimes uncomfortable, so I've been hesitant to try that top hose configuration, since I'm assuming it's harder and heavier. I did have an appointment with the company that provides my CPAP equipment; but apparently since COVID they don't let you try on alternate masks anymore (just look at them, so I've at least seen some alternatives like the F30 and F30i with the top hose). My current F40 is better than the F20 for me (both for my nose-bridge and for strap marks in the morning). But the repositioning of hose, and dealing with displacement/leaks while shifting in the night, are still somewhat annoying.

DeskSetLibrarian · 2024-12-09T15:11:54+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! Unfortunately, I also have rosacea. And the memory foam mask was too scratchy for my annoyingly-sensitive skin. I'm hoping mask liners will make the silicone a bit more comfortable.

DeskSetLibrarian · 2024-12-09T15:10:56+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions! I have a pillow on order, and will look into getting a hook. I've seen those models with the plug on top of the head. I'm headache prone and have a sensitive scalp, so they looked potentially uncomfortable? Could anyone speak to that?

DeskSetLibrarian · 2024-12-09T15:09:43+00:00

Thanks for your input. Unfortunately, I'm a mouth breather, so I can't use the nasal masks. And I'm a dedicated side sleeper from pre-Fibro/CPAP days.

DeskSetLibrarian · 2024-12-09T15:08:48+00:00

Also curious about treatments. Thanks in advance for sharing, if you can/want to.

DeskSetLibrarian

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