{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.013530135301353014, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.409448818897638, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
The Lowdown on Automated Vendor Supplied Authority Control

ABSTRACT This article discusses the use of vendor supplied authority control in the twenty-first century. Pros and cons are outlined. Workflow and staffing ramifications are discussed, using the Virginia Tech library context. Education of staff regarding machine processing for authority control is discussed. The article compares the Virginia Tech experience to some other libraries cited in the literature, and gives advice for other technical services librarians considering employment of an authority control vendor. The author concludes that vendor supplied authority control is neither a panacea nor a means for reducing overall workload; however, it is worth the effort required because it enables a library to enhance the quality of its catalog.