Hebrew on RLIN–An update
Joan M. Aliprand · Judaica librarianship · 1990
My earlier paper, "Hebrew on RUN" (Aliprand, 1986-87), was written "when the design ... had almost been completed, but before programming had begun to make the design a reality."Since differences between concept and actuality did occur in some cases, the purpose of this paper is to document the differences between what I described and what was actually installed.The scope is limited to the RLIN 1 bibliographic system: the activities of RLG's Jewish and Middle East Studies (JAMES) 2 cooperative program are not described.RUN's Hebrew capability was installed in January 1988.The Library of Congress served as the "beta-test" site in late 1987, and the New York Public Library was the first library to be trained following release of the new features.Many of the principal Judaica libraries in the United Statesstarting with Brandeis University-have joined RLG as Special Members to participate in the JAMES Program.They do their cataloging on RUN, but participation in RLG's programmatic activities is not a requirement for the use of RUN for original script Hebrew cataloging.Any library may be a general RUN user and do Hebrew script cataloging online.Libraries that belong to the JAMES Program are major Hebraica libraries.With regard to cataloging, JAMES participants discuss issues affecting Hebraica and recommend standards to RLG.Programmatic activities are not limited to cataloging, but cover cooperative ventures in all areas of library service (often funded by grants solicited by RLG); for example, preservation microfilming (the existence of a microfilm copy is shown in RUN and in the register of microform masters published by RLG). Computer Encoding of Hebrew CharactersReaders who compare the Hebrew character set for RUN proposed in November 1986 (see Figure 2 (p.8) in Aliprand, 1986-87) with Figure 1 in this paper will notice some differences.The composite f]ataf vowels have been added (at positions 4/8 through 4/10) and codes for other characters have been changed; for example, the rafeh, formerly at 4/9, is now at Hebrew on RLIN-An Update