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In library science and information science, authority control means the use and maintenance of the forms of names, subjects, uniform titles, etc. used as headings in a catalog. Since this creates a link between bibliographic records and the authority file, authority control provides the underlying structure of the catalog.
Princess Diana is described in one authority file as "Windsor, Diana, Princess of Wales" which is an official heading.
An example of an authority record
Card catalog records such as this one used to be physical cards contained in long rectangular drawers in a library; today, generally, this information is stored in online databases.
Authority control with "Kesey, Ken" as the chosen heading.
