MINIATURE BOOKS
(Approved for use March 14, 2001)

Scope |  Size |  Marking |  Classification |  Physical description |  Subjects

Scope
The Miniature Book Collection consists of books that are up to 10 cm. in height and width. Titles are classed here regardless of collection or whether or not they are sent to cataloging in Gaylords. The general cataloging policies for monographs are followed. All miniature books class here, unless alternative instructions regarding classing are provided to the cataloger.

Size
The size boundaries are:
            Up to 10 cm. in height and width.
 

Marking
The following guidelines are used when marking volumes.

1. Mark on Yale bookplate when there is one, generally in the upper left corner.
2. Mark on front cover, lower left hand corner, if in preservation wrappers.
3. Mark on verso of last page, lower right hand corner, when 1 or 2 don't apply. The lower left hand corner is the alternate location when the lower right hand corner is unusable.
4. If the last page is unmarkable (e.g. too dark or shiny or filled with text or illustrations), mark the verso of the first usable page from the end.

Classification

• Call numbers consist of "Zm" followed by the main entry's cutter number (derived from C.A. Cutter's three-figure author table). Expand the number to four or even five digits if necessary to distinguish authors and to place them correctly in alphabetical sequence.
• Class subsequent editions by adjusting the cutter. Past practice allowed adding b, c, d, etc. to indicate subsequent editions.
• The location code is the code for the collection that owns the material. For example, a miniature by Ezra Pound would class in Zm and have the location code bein,ycal.
• Serials. The second line is an arbitrary number between Z5-9, keeping entries in alphabetical order. Two or more figures are used.

Physical description
Give dimensions in millimeters.

Subjects.

• Personal, topical and corporate subjects are assigned as would be done for other material. Make certain to  include the LC subject heading Miniature books |vSpecimens.
• Make appropriate genre headings including Miniature books (Printing).
• Make appropriate copy specific notes and local tracings for provenance.
   

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Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University
Contact: Stephen Young <stephen.young@yale.edu>
Last revised: 6/4/2002
http://www.library.yale.edu/BeinCatM/miniatures.html