Staff working in Forum will use either or both of the cataloging models introduced in 2024:

• A standalone item record describing the object being cataloged--the work--plus information about a single image
• An item record for a single image linked to a "work container" where the object being cataloged is described 

Item records and work containers have the same list of fields with the same data types, rules, and conventions. In addition

• depending on the Forum project, item records may also have two fields that associate them with a work container: the work container link and the sequence of the item among other items linked to the same work container. 
• work containers may also have a Primary DRS Image field to support future image uploads

Fields in Forum records are not repeatable, so the text in a field can represent one or more instances of the concept-- multiple notes or subjects, for example.

Field Types and Their Uses in Harvard systems

Most fields in Forum are of one of two types: Linked Authority or Text. These fields types are processed differently into Harvard systems, and the differences are important.

Linked Authority

Linked Authority fields have a book icon, which will list the vocabulary sources available for that field and bring up a search interface for the terms in each vocabulary.

Once terms are linked, both a concatenated text string for all the terms and a link for each term will display.

When a linked authority field is processed, only the term from the linked authority will be used. The concatenated text is not used.

Certain cataloging practices need to be followed for Forum fields to be accurately displayed and used in Harvard systems,

Work-Level Fields for Items and Work Containers