Beinecke Cataloging Manual - Monograph Cataloging

MONOGRAPH CATALOGING
Approved for use March 20 January 2000)

General Policies | Notes | Access Points

General policies

Monographs for the Beinecke Library that receive original cataloging are cataloged according to the latest full national standards for descriptive cataloging. For imprints published through 1800 the national standard is Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Books (2nd ed.), known as DCRB. For imprints published after 1800 the national standard is the latest revision of Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd ed., commonly known as AACR2, as interpreted by the Library of Congress rule interpretations. The latest editions of DCRB, AACR2, and the Library of Congress rule interpretations are all available through Cataloger's Desktop. For instructions on recording dates in the 260 field of non-DCRB records, see Transcription of Dates in the 260 Field.

Occasionally the rules in DCRB are followed for post-1800 imprints when a fuller description is needed or this is more efficient according to the cataloger's judgment. DCRB is used for original cataloging of all single-sheet publications.

Catalogers need to pay close attention to the accession slips and dealers' slips that accompany the items they catalog, which often have special information for distinguishing issues or editions, pertinent bibliographical citations, and notes, access points, and classing instructions that Beinecke wants in the catalog records. Local notes and special tracings are regularly made for Beinecke materials.

DCRB

Important options in applying DCRB:

0E. The option to record original punctuation as well as prescribed punctuation is not followed unless copy is being used which follows that option (e.g. copy from the American Antiquarian Society).

4C2. Street addresses and qualifications such as "printer to the King" are generally omitted from publisher statements, but may be included on a case by case basis, for instance when the address aids in identifying or dating the publication or distinguishes known variants. If using DCRB copy which has this information, do not remove it.

4D2. Effective October 2005, Roman numeral dates are recorded as found, omitting internal spaces and punctuation, as instructed in DCRM(B). Prior to October 2005 Roman numerals for years in dates were recorded in Arabic form unless erroneous or misprinted or unless copy which gives the Roman numerals is used (e.g. copy from the American Antiquarian Society).

For inverted Roman numeral C, follow DCRM(B), Appendix G: "If the Roman numeral M or D is composed with the use of an inverted C in combination with other pieces of type, transcribe as the intended numeral M or D. Make an explanatory note if desired."

5B20. When the pagination of a publication in more than one physical unit is not continuous, the pagination is generally not given. If it is deemed important to give the pagination, this is done in a note rather than in parentheses after the number of units in the extent of item.

5C1. The graphic process or technique is generally not added to the illustration statement.

Other DCRB options are chosen on a case by case basis according to the cataloger's judgment.

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Notes

Form of notes
Order of notes
Notes not used in the cataloging record

Form of 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 accessions slips accompanying the copies. 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 incunabula, for which separate notes are usually made to record provenance, hand illumination, and binding information. In general note the copy specific information in the order given below.

If there are several copies in the same record, the order of 590 notes generally follows the order of copies on the copy holdings screen. Other notes are given in the order and form specified in AACR2 1.7B or DCRB 7C.

Order of notes

Restricted: Restriction on access (506)

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); 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); Issued in case (500); Added engraved title page (500); Illustrated title page (500); Citations of standard bibliographies (510); Advertising matter (500 or 590)

Local Processing Notes: Local processing notes (‡x in MFHD)

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Notes not used in the cataloging record

The following are generally not noted unless required to distinguish variants or bring out important aspects of the work or copy.

Unopened. (590)

Head and tail pieces, initials, decorative work. (500)

Title pages in red and black. (500)

Title vignette; if not a part of the illustrative matter. (500)

Variations in binding. (This note is usually made when an additional copy or copies are added). (590)

Access Points

Name and Title Access Points (1xx, 246, 7xx): All name and title access points required by the latest national standards (DCRB and AACR2 rev. as interpreted by the Library of Congress) are made. Additional name access points may be made to bring out contributors and contents of the item which are deemed important to the collections being cataloged. Generous title access and access for illustrators, editors, and translators is made.

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. Certain materials (such as French government documents and some other tracts or broadsides) may receive minimal level cataloging or core level cataloging for which full subject headings are not assigned, but for which description is according to DCRB or AACR2.

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.

Form and Genre Headings (655)
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.

Series Added Entries. (4xx, 8xx)
Series added entries are made according to latest Yale cataloging policies. Current policy is to follow LC tracing decisions. If the series is traced in the same form as it appears in the item and does not need to be distinguished from other series with the same form, no authority record is necessary.

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