In online cataloging, authority-control records help prevent

• A. Blind cross-references
• B. Catalog duplication
• C. Author name changes
• D. Expired records

Answer: (A)

Authority control standardizes the forms used for names and subjects in the catalog and links all variant spellings or forms to a single authorized heading. This creates clear, deliberate cross-references that guide a user from a search form to the correct entry. When these controlled links are in place, confusing or unhelpful references don’t appear as hidden or opaque paths—often called blind cross-references—because every variant points to a known, public destination. In practice, this means a user searching for an author, place, or subject will land on a single, consistent entry, with visible cross-references directing them to the exact record they need. While authority control can aid with name changes and helps avoid some duplication, its strongest impact in this context is making cross-references reliable and navigable.