MAP CATALOGING
(Approved for use 8 December 2004)

General Policies | Physcial Description | Notes | Access Points | Genre Headings

General policies

Cartographic material, including maps, atlases and globes, for the Beinecke Library which receive original cataloging are cataloged according to the latest full national standards for descriptive cataloging. The national standards are the latest revision of Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd ed., commonly known as AACR2, as interpreted by the Library of Congress rule interpretations and Cartographic Materials : A Manual of Interpretation for AACR2, 2002 Revision (2003). The latest editions of AACR2, the Library of Congress rule interpretations are all available through Cataloger's Desktop. Cartographic Materials is available in the Rare Book Team area.

A good on-line resource for cataloging cartographic material is the Map Cataloger's Toolbox.

For cataloging maps in books, see the documentation Maps in Books.

There are several map cataloging policies which RBT will follow.

Fixed Fields

In the Header, "Type of Record" should be e: Printed cartographic material. This applies both for maps and for atlases.

Variable Data Fields

In the 007, Physical Description Field (listed as a Fixed Field but appears in the record with variables), the "Map" selection should be applied, with the "Specific Material Designation" coded either j: map or d: atlas. The remainder of the fields are usually coded as follows:

Color = a: One color or c: Mutlicolored (with two or more colors involved)

Physical Meduim = usually coded a: Paper

Type of Reproduction = code n: Not applicable

Production/Reproduction Detail = code z: Other

Positive/Negative Aspect = code n: Not applicable

034 - Coded Cartographic Mathematical Data

This field contains cartographic mathematical data, including scale, projection, and/or coordinates in coded form. Field 034 is based on information from field 255 (Cartographic Mathematical Data). According to current cataloging practice, although it is optional, if bounding coordinates appear on a cartographic item they are included in the bibliographic record in two places: in subfield $c of the 255 field in the form of degrees, minutes, and seconds; and in subfields $d, $e, $f, and $g of the 034 field in the form of cardinal direction and numerical value. If supplying geographic coordinates in the 255 field, one must also supply geographic coordinates in the 034 field.

This practice differs from PCC standards, which strongly encourages "that this practice of recording coordinates be applied within the core level record." See http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/bibco/coremaps.html

If adequate copy is found which includes the 034 field, check to ensure the coordinates match the item in hand and retain in record. Otherwise, delete from the record.

043 - Geographic Area Code

255 - Cartographic Mathematical Data

This field contains mathematical data associated with cartographic material, including a statement of scale, statement of projection and/or a statement of bounding coordinates.

This practice differs from PCC standards, which requires a ‡b [statement of projection] in the 255 field, in addition to a 034 field (when the 255 field is present). See http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/bibco/coremaps.html

 

Physical Description

Dimensions

Measure both the size of the map, rounded up to the nearest centimeter, as measured by the neat lines (which enclose the details of the map) and the size of the whole sheet on which the map is printed. See rule 5D1. in Cartographic materials for further details and examples (e.g., when the map details go beyond the neat lines). If the map is folded, give the folded dimensions.

Note: Dimensions given in Digital Library records are not rounded up as is done with AACR2/DCRM(B) records. NOTE: When cataloging according to DCRM(B), do not use a period following "cm."

Examples:

23 x 26 cm, on sheet 26 x 28 cm

62 x 40 cm, on sheet 66 x 44 cm, folded to 33 x 22 cm

 

500 - Notes

Copy Specific Notes

Copy specific notes are made to record important information pertaining to individual copies but not to all copies. This information is often noted on the accompanying accessions slip. Information about provenance evidence, imperfections, and bindings (including bound-with information) pertaining to the copy in hand but not to all copies is recorded in copy specific notes.

Restriction on access notes (506) precede copy specific notes (590). All other notes follow. Restriction on access notes (506) and copy specific notes (590) always begin with BEIN [call no.]: Line-breaks in call numbers are indicated by spaces.

If the copy specific information is not extensive, a single 590 note per copy suffices. For clarity's sake, several copy specific notes for the same copy may be made, each beginning with BEIN [call no.]. This is the case with long runs of serials with issues which have come from numerous sources with various provenance. In general note the copy specific information in the order given below.

Example:

590     ‡a BEIN Zc56 893ra: Autograph and manuscript notes of Herbert Thomas Ackcoll. Original wrappers.

 

Relief description(s) in 008 to be stated in 500 note.

Example:

500     ‡a Relief shown by hachures.

 

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Order of notes

Restricted
Restriction on access
Copy Specific Notes
Bibliographical variants (590 in combination with 500)
Imperfections (590)
Copy number of limited edition (590)
Original wrappers, Paperbound, Spiral-bound or Stapled (590) (N.B. read carefully)
Dust jacket (590)
Belly band (590)
Uncut [i.e. untrimmed; not to be confused with unopened] (590)
Provenance (590)
Binding information (590)
Bound-with notes(590)
In case with notes (590)
Manuscript material in printed works (590)
Material shelved separately (590)
General Notes
Bibliographical variants (500 sometimes in combination with 590)
Limited edition notes (500 sometimes in combination with 590)
Signatures (500) (Rarely used)
Issued in case (500)
Added engraved title page (500) (Rarely used)
Illustrated title page (500)
Citations of standard bibliographies (510)
Advertising matter (500 or 590)
Summary note (520)

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Access Points

Name and Title Access Points (1xx, 246, 7xx)
All name and title access points required by the latest national standards are made. Generous name access points are made to bring out contributors such as editors, engravers, printers, cartographers, surveyors, publishers and issuing bodies.
Library of Congress Subject Headings (6xx)
For items receiving full-level cataloging, subject headings are assigned according to the latest edition of LC Subject Headings and the LC Subject Cataloging Manual. Catalogers should include the followin
651   0 ‡a [Geographic name] ‡v Maps.
For more information on using the subdivision, ‡v Maps, see Subject Cataloging Manual H1685 - Maps and Atlases.
If the cartographic material is a railroad map, add subject:
650   0 a Railroads ‡z [Geographic name] ‡v Maps.

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Local Tracings

In addition to all applicable standard LC subject headings, local tracings for provenance, chronology, binding and imprint are made when called for by local policies

Genre Tracings

Always add the following genre tracings, when appropriate. Use multiple tracings, when appropriate (e.g., an atlas of nautical charts). Subdivide geographically, not by place of publication, but by place described, and then by date. Use the broadest geographical subdivision possible; e.g., for an atlas of the Pacific Northwest, do not make separate 655s for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, etc., but rather use: Northwest, Pacific.

655   7 ‡a Atlases (Geographic) ‡z [Geographic name] ‡y [date]. ‡2 rbgenr

655   7 ‡a Maps ‡z [Geographic name] ‡y [date]. ‡2 lctgm

655   7 ‡a Nautical charts ‡z [Geographic name] ‡y [date]. ‡2 aat

655   7 ‡a Plats ‡z [Geographic name] ‡y [date]. ‡2 lctgm

655   7 ‡a Portolan charts ‡z [Geographic name] ‡y [date]. ‡2 rbgenr

655   7 ‡a Topographic maps ‡z [Geographic name] ‡y [date]. ‡2 lctgm

655   7 ‡a Views ‡z [Geographic name] ‡y [date]. ‡2 lctgm

Certain form and genre terms are always added when called for by local practice . Other applicable standard form and genre terms may be added on a case by case basis when this does not slow down cataloging productivity and are generally retained if present in copy.

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Example

(Click on the link below to view full Orbis record)

A map of South America ... London : Printed for Robert Sayer, July the 1st, 1787.

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