This manual provides information on the cataloging of manusript visual materials. This manual has been developed for the cataloging of art and photographic materials. Information on creating and editing records, appendices with mini-thesauri and other helpful cataloging tips may be found in the Manuscript Unit's Orbis Cataloging Manual for the Mixed Materials Format. Visual Materials in the Manuscript Unit are cataloged largely according to Elizabeth Betz's Graphic Materials: Rules for Describing Original Items and Historical Collections. A list of currently used cataloging documentation for Visual Materials specifically is appended to this document.

The Type of Record code in the leader (e.g. k: two-dimensional nonprojectible graphic, or g: projected medium) will determine which fixed fields will display in the 008 field. Visual materials also records require the use of 007 fixed fields (physical description) (e.g. for a nonprojected graphic or motion picture).

As a result of format integration (March 1996) the 006 field may be used to supply additional fixed fields when a graphic item is accompanied by another item. See the Orbis Cataloging Manual for Mixed Materials for more details.