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Add AIATSIS thesauri to the CZ subject authority files

As a cataloguer, I would like to see the AIATSIS thesauri made available in the Community Zone authority files for 6XX subject fields.

BENEFITS

  • Make it easier for cataloguers to validate AIATSIS subject headings
  • Enable routine review and updates of AIATSIS subject headings through the Authority Control Task List
  • Enrich Primo searches for end users, using non-preferred terms (especially synonyms for people and language groups)
  • Promote AIATSIS thesauri to Australian libraries

While specific libraries can import and manage AIATSIS subject headings as local authorities, I think this vocabulary should be made available in the CZ authority records, since it is already used and shared by institutions across Australia.

BACKGROUND

AIATSIS produces the thesauri for cataloguing and searching the AIATSIS collection; and publishes them so that other institutions have access to a nationally-recognised controlled vocabulary that is more culturally appropriate than LCSH for describing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content in collections.

The thesauri include Subjects and Placenames (in Pathways), and Languages and Peoples (in AustLang). These are accepted by LOC for use in bibliographic records, and have been assigned Subject Heading and Term source codes for use in the 6XX subject fields. (aiatsisl: AIATSIS language thesaurus, aiatsisp: AIATSIS place thesaurus, aiatsiss: AIATSIS subject thesaurus)

Use of the AIATSIS thesauri is encouraged under ATSILIRN protocol 5.1; the National Library of Australia has been using the thesauri since 2019; and use of the thesauri seems to me to be increasing amongst Australian libraries.

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Nina Goldie shared this idea  ·   ·  Admin →

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  • Nina Goldie commented  · 

    This is great news. Thank you for fully implementing this.

  • AdminTamar Ganor (Admin, Ex Libris) commented  · 

    Hello,
    We will keep the idea open until we have the aiatsisp added as well.
    Currently we do not have a timeline for that as the file is not yet ready for processing.
    Kind regards,
    Tamar

  • Nina Goldie commented  · 

    Hello Tamar!

    Thank you very much to Ex Libris and AIATSIS for implementing this. Can you please tell me whether the AIATSIS Placenames thesaurus (aiatsisp) will also be added to the CZ authorities?

    Best wishes,
    Nina

  • AdminTamar Ganor (Admin, Ex Libris) commented  · 

    Hello,
    After further investigation, the Authorities we added were only the topical subset and without the language and places gazette.
    I will reopen this idea and we will continue working with AIATSIS to add both the language and places authorities.
    Kind regards,
    Tamar
    Kind regards,
    Tamar

  • Jonah Highman commented  · 

    Hi Tamar, I have the same problem as Chris - I can see the AIATSIS subject thesaurus (aiatsiss) but not the AIATSIS language thesaurus / AustLang (aiatsisl).

    The language thesaurus (which includes identifiers for languages and peoples) is the one we primarily use in our institution, for example:

    650 \7 $$a Noongar / Nyoongar people W41 $$2 aiatsisl
    650 \7 $$a Bardi language K15 $$2 aiatsisl

  • Chris Sloan commented  · 

    Does this include the aiatsisl (Languages) vocabulary?
    I can find subject terms (aiatsiss) in Alma, but not language terms like
    Kaurna language L3

  • Peta Hopkins commented  · 

    Excellent news. I echo what Majella said - it is a great thing. Thank you.

  • Majella Pugh commented  · 

    Awesome! Many thanks Ex Libris. You have done a great thing!

  • Hassan Hassan commented  · 

    Adding AIATSIS thesauri to the CZ subject authority files would be a valuable enhancement, promoting cultural inclusivity. It would enable better categorization and retrieval of resources related to Indigenous Australian culture and history. In the context of libraries and information systems, this expansion is akin to a "Tummy tuck surgery Dubai," streamlining and refining the system's functionality, resulting in a more efficient and user-friendly experience for researchers and users alike.
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  • Stacey van Groll commented  · 

    Is there any progress on this? The last update was now 7 months ago that this was being reviewed (Feb > Sept 2023).

  • Jonah Highman commented  · 

    Very supportive of this idea which would be of immense value to Australian institutions. This would reduce barriers to access these thesauri and make it easier for cataloguers to appropriately describe Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content in a culturally sensitive way.

    Speaking purely logistically, this idea could potentially be a quick win for Ex Libris, being already-established and supported thesauri with LOC source codes. This idea also strongly aligns with Ex Libris' own commitment to Supporting Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (https://exlibrisgroup.com/diversity-inclusion-equity/)

  • Lucy Cammell commented  · 

    Very supportive of this enhancement request! These thesauri are important in the pursuit of ethical cataloguing and resource description which recognises the privilege inherent in continuing to rely solely on dominant Anglo-centric vocabularies.

  • Susan Gaw commented  · 

    I also agree that this is a very important feature for Australian libraries working towards reconciliation between First Nations people and the communities they serve.

  • Kathleen Cobcroft commented  · 

    Agreed - this is a really important feature for Australian libraries that would help us enhance records with terms that are not problematic or offensive to our users.

  • Stephanie Morton commented  · 

    I've created MARC files for the AUSTLANG Languages & Peoples headings for us to manage locally but it'd be much preferrable to have all four thesauri available in the Community Zone to be managed there.

  • dave allen commented  · 

    This is an important DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness) request

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