RBT Policy for DCRM(B) “Alternative” and “Optionally” Categories
0. General Rules
0F2.2 Romanization
Optional rule currently is not feasible because no transcription is done in non-roman scripts (except limited amount of Hebrew). Matter will be addressed if/when use of non-roman scripts is adopted.
0G3.1 Punctuation in the source
Do not use the alternative, unless one is importing good copy that transcribes all punctuation.
0G4.1 Spacing within words and numbers
Do not use the alternative.
0G7.3 Blank spaces for initial letters
If an initial letter is executed in manuscript, always make the optional local note (example 1).
If an initial letter is not executed in manuscript, do not make the optional local note (example 2).
1. Title and Statement of Responsibility Area
1A2.2 Omission of pious invocations, etc.
“Dedications” has been dropped from the list of things to omit without using the mark of omission. Now dedications may be omitted (using the mark of omission) or transcribed. It is appropriate to transcribe a dedication if the curator wants the dedicatee brought out or if the dedication is grammatically linked to other transcribed information. If transcribing the dedication, it is appropriate to trace the dedicatee when the curator requests it. Transcribe or omit on a case to case basis. Trace on a case to case basis.
1D4 Abridgment of other title information
Abridge or not on a case by case basis.
1E14.3 Abridgement of phrases about notes, appendixes, etc.
Abridge or not on a case by case basis.
2. Edition Area
2B3. Words such as "impression" or "printing"
2B3.2. In books from the machine-press era, omit statements such as “impression” or “printing” from the transcription without using the mark of omission. Local notes may be made about these statements, if considered important.
Alternative rule: Transcribe statements containing words such as "impression" or "printing" in the edition area. Indicate the source of the statement, if other than the title page, in a note.
If the decision has been made to catalog to the impression, this rule will be used.
2B4. Edition statements with special characters or a numeric emphasis
2B4.2. If an edition statement consists of one or more letters or numbers without accompanying words, or only words that convey numbers and signals a substantially unchanged impression of an edition, omit it from the transcription without using the mark of omission. Local notes may be made about such statements, if considered important.
Alternative rule: Transcribe or supply such statements in the edition area, using square brackets as needed. Indicate the source of the statement, if other than the title page, in a note.
If the decision has been made to catalog to the impression, this rule will be used.
2B9. Edition statements in more than one language or script
2B9.2. Optionally, if it is considered that the parallel statements are too numerous to list exhaustively, and that some may be omitted without significant loss of identification, omit parallel statements after the first using the mark of omission. Transcribe the omitted statement(s) in a note, if considered important.
This option will be left to cataloger’s judgment.
2D. Statement relating to a named revision of an edition
2D2. Do not transcribe a statement relating to a reissue of an edition if it represents a substantially unchanged impression of that edition. Omit the impression statement without using the mark of omission. Local notes may be made about such statements, if considered important.
Alternative rule: Transcribe a statement relating to a reissue of an edition, even if it represents a substantially unchanged impression of that edition, in the edition area. Indicate the source of the statement, if other than the title page, in a note.
If the decision has been made to catalog to the impression, this rule will be used.
4. Publication, Distribution, Etc., Area
4B6. Two or more places of publication, distribution, etc
4B6.2. Catalogers may omit all place names after the third, using the mark of omission, but must supply the number of omitted places in square brackets.
4B13. Place names in more than one language or script
4B13.2 Catalogers may omit all parallel statements after the first using the mark of omission.
4C. Name of publisher, distributor, etc.
4C2. Catalogers may omit addresses and insignificant information in the middle or at the end of the statement using the mark of omission.
4C6.2. Catalogers may omit names after the third using the mark of omission. Include the number of omitted names and places in square brackets.
4C11. Publisher, distribution, etc., statement in more than one language or script
4C11.2. Catalogers may omit parallel statements after the first using the mark of omission.
4G. Date of manufacture
When we make separate records for each printing, the alternative rule will be followed.
5. Physical Description Area
5B5.3. Do not include in the statement of extent pages containing only advertisements that do not fall into any of these categories. Record them in a local note, if considered important (see 7B19.1). Optionally, make a separate description for the advertisements.
RBT will note advertising matter that is not part of the pagination in a local note, as has been RBT policy.
5B8.2. Optionally, if determining the total number of pages or leaves of an unnumbered volume might damage an item in fragile condition, give one of the designations used for publications issued in more than one physical unit (see 5B15.1) followed by "unpaged" or "unfoliated."
RBT will follow this option.
5B9.3. Record folded leaves as leaves or pages of plates. Make a note to indicate any folded letterpress leaves, if considered important.
RBT will follow the option.
5B14.2. For a publication consisting of a single sheet folded into multiple panels, include in parentheses a count of the number of physical panels on one side of the sheet when unfolded. Include both blank panels and panels containing text or illustrations in the count. Enclose the number in square brackets. Provide details of the sheet’s layout (including the numbering of the panels) in a note, if considered important.
RBT will follow the option, and will include the dimensions of the sheet.
Example: A folded sheet with 6 panels on each side; 46 x 31 cm folded to 23 x 11 cm.
5B18. Optionally, if the pagination of
a publication in more than one physical unit is not continuous, record the
pagination of each unit either in parentheses after the number of units or in a
note.
RBT will not follow this option.
5B19. If a publication in more than one physical unit contains leaves or pages of plates, do not record them in the statement of extent. Note the presence of the plates in a note, if considered important.
RBT will not follow this option.
5C1.4. Optionally, treat significant title-page illustrations as illustrations rather than ornaments. Make a note to indicate any title-page so treated, if considered important (see 7B10).
RBT will follow this option.
5C1.5. Optionally, add the graphic process or technique in parentheses, preferably using a term found in a standard thesaurus. Give more detailed descriptions of the illustrations in a note, if considered important
RBT will not follow this option.
5C2.1. Optionally, specify particular types of illustrations. Use in alphabetical order one or more such terms as the following: coats of arms, diagrams, facsims., forms, geneal. tables, maps, music, plans, ports. (use for single or group portraits), samples.
RBT will follow this option.
5C3.3. If both the text and illustrations are printed in a single color, do not describe the illustrations as "col." Make a note to indicate the color of the ink, if considered important
RBT will follow this option.
Example: Printed in green throughout.
5D1.3. For hand-press publications, add the bibliographical format of the publication in parentheses following the size statement whenever the format can be determined. Optionally, give the format also for machine-press publications. Give the format in abbreviated form (fol., 4to, 8vo, 12mo, etc.). Use "full-sheet" for publications made up of unfolded sheets.
RBT will not follow this option for machine-press publications.
5E1.2. Optionally, give the physical description of accompanying material in parentheses following its name.
RBT will follow this option.
6.0 Series Area
6A2.5. If a series statement is not present in the publication, but reference sources provide evidence that the book was issued as part of a publisher’s series, do not supply a series statement in the series area. Rather, provide the series information in a note, if considered important.
RBT will follow this option.
6C2. Optionally, if it is considered that the parallel series titles are too numerous to list exhaustively, and that some may be omitted without significant loss of identification, omit parallel series titles after the first using the mark of omission. Transcribe the omitted title(s), together with any associated information, in a note, if considered important
RBT will follow this option.
7. Note Area
Required notes are made as directed by the rules and policies stated in the Beinecke Cataloging Manual. Other notes are made if considered important according to cataloger's judgment or at the request of curators.