The E-Sylum:  Volume 5, Number 48, December 1, 2002, Article 4

THE NOT-SO-DEFINITE ARTICLE

  Gosia Fort, Cataloging and Database Management Librarian
  for the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences Library
  System writes: "I am sorry I missed Kerry's poll on modifying
  the name of "The Numismatist."   If it is not to late to add my 5
  cents, here is a librarian's perspective:  I can assure those who
  have doubts, that the proposed change will have no effect on
  the Library of Congress treatment of this journal.  In fact, it
  does not matter whether the article is present or not. Library
  systems have to ignore all definite or indefinite articles (such
  as "the" or "a") for searching, sorting and filling purposes.
  From the librarian's point of view it will be an insignificant and
  unnecessary change.

  We have to deal with many such changes, which, if they occur
  within the first five words of a title, call for a new record and
  linking fields in order to trace the whole run of the journal.  To
  take "revenge" on publishers who give us more work, librarians
  hold an annual competition for the worst journal title change
  of the year. To add some spice to it, last year's winner was one
  of our professional journals for librarians!   So unless you want
  to change the scope of the journal as well, do not change the
  title, please."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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