Scope: These are the policies that LTS RMC staff follow when cataloging printed materials.
Contact: Margaret Nichols
Unit: Cataloging & Metadata Services
Date last updated: 06/28/17
Date of next review: May 2018
Choice of rules: RDA or DCRM(B)
PCC Contribution
Authority Work
Notes
Choice of rules: RDA or DCRM(B)
For monographs which require original cataloging, we apply DCRM(B) for pre-1800 European and pre-1821 American imprints. For all modern books or serials requiring original cataloging, we apply RDA. For sound recordings, we apply AACR2, subject to the guidance of the Music Cataloging Coordinator.
For copy cataloging, leave the existing cataloging as is, except:
- update the encoding level to full (Encoding level: blank), if it's less than full (Encoding level 4, 7, or u, for example)
- update access points to their preferred forms, and create authority records if needed
- correct any errors in the record
- add special files fields as appropriate (see LTS Procedure #89)
- add copy-specific notes in the holdings record, especially if our copy lacks anything (example: "Imperfect: lacks title page").
Do not change an existing catalog record from AACR2 to DCRM(B) or RDA or vice versa.
PCC Contribution
We contribute an original catalog record to PCC if all of its access points have authority records.
Records which do not qualify for PCC contribution:
- copy cataloging
- recon records
- records with some access points not covered by authority records, such as a 650 _4, tracings for former owners, etc.
Authority work
RMC cataloging staff participate fully in the NACO program. We contribute RDA authority records for names when cataloging new acquisitions. NACO records are created in Voyager, reviewed, and subsequently uploaded to OCLC through the usual LTS process (see LTS Procedure #134).
Notes to include in original cataloging records for early imprints (pre-1800 European and pre-1821 American ones)
Printers' devices--routinely; describe only if bibliographically significant.
Title page vignettes (any decorative figure)--routinely; describe only if bibliographically significant or if artist is known/famous.
Head- and tail-pieces--only if bibliographically significant or if artist is known/famous.
Title page in red and black--routinely.
Wove paper--If a signature statement is given, make this note if the book paper is wove (to explain the absence of a format statement, such as 8vo). Even if no signature statement is given, make this note routinely when wove paper is found in an 18th-century or very early 19th-century book.
With half-title--routinely
Cancels--should be noted; any deviations from recorded copies elsewhere. (This note may take several forms, e.g. "Some leaves appear to be cancels"; "Several leaves canceled"; "Title page cancel?"; "Leaf B6 canceled and original leaf left in place.")
Errata--routinely (describe its physical appearance if it is something other than a leaf, e.g. slip pasted in)
Publisher's advertisements--routinely. You may describe the contents of these if you can do so concisely, e.g. "Publisher's advertisements for other works by this author."
Incorrect pagination--only if bibliographically significant (for instance, if the last numbered page is misnumbered, giving an inaccurate impression of the length of the work)
With frontispiece--routinely
Engraved title page--routinely with added engraved title page
Contemporary wrappers--routinely (describe, e.g. "contemporary blue marbled wrappers")
Binding--if artistically significant or signed. If binder is known, trace him/her in a 700 field with $e binder $5 NIC at the end.
Anything wanting--routinely. This goes in a $z note on the holdings record ("Imperfect: ...")
Provenance--routinely. This goes in a $z note on the holdings record ("Provenance: [name] (nature of ownership mark, e.g. bookplate, stamp, or signature).") The name of the inscriber, former owner, etc. is also traced in a 7xx field on the bib record, with the appropriate relationship designator in $e at the end (former owner, signer, etc.).
Example:
Holdings record: 852 00 $brmc,hsci $kBoyle $hQC27 $i.B79 1662 $zProvenance: Franz Sondheimer (bookplate).
Tracing on bib record:
700 1 : Sondheimer, Franz, $e former owner. $5 NIC
Blanks--noted if a blank leaf (not page) appears at the beginning or end of the book. Note a blank in the middle if it is not part of the pagination sequence.
Not noted: price; statements of patronage; mottoes; pious invocations.