--American Memory--

Contents

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1. Introduction

2. Substantive Writing
3. Mechanics of Writing
3.1 Abbreviations and Names
3.2 Illustrations: Captions and Legends
3.3 Notes and Bibliographies
3.4 Numbers and Dates
3.5 Punctuation
3.6 Spelling and Special Terms
 
4. Editorial Process
 
5. Editorial Support
 
6. Collection Framework
6.1 About the Collection
6.2 Acknowledgments
6.3 Building the Digital Collection
6.4 Cataloging the Collection
6.5 Copyright and Other Restrictions
6.6 Related Resources
6.7 Scope and Content Note
6.8 Selected Bibliography
6.9 Special Presentations
6.10 Other Components
 
7. Learning Page
 
8. Today in History
 
9. Glossary

6.4 Cataloging the Collection

Cataloging the Collection explains the methods used to catalog both the original physical collection and the online collection and provides users with information about searchable terms and fields. It describes the source and format of the parent record or bibliographic data (e.g., MARC, finding aid, non-MARC). It identifies the collection access points that can be searched (creator, title, date, notes, subjects or topics, etc.) and cites the descriptive or subject cataloging tools used to classify the access points.

Content may include:

  • A statement about whether access points are based on controlled or uncontrolled vocabulary:

    • If access points are based on controlled vocabulary, cite source(s), for example, Library of Congress Subject Headings ( LCSH), Thesaurus for Graphic Materials (TGM), etc;

    • If access points are based on uncontrolled vocabulary, cite source(s);

  • A statement about which field headings from the collection are used in the online records;

  • Examples from the collection;

  • Descriptions of the source(s) of bibliographic data used as access points.

Organization may include:

  • A brief introduction;

  • A bibliography of cataloging tools;

  • A description of headings (with examples), using any or all from the following list:

    Call Number Notes
    Collection Other title
    Control number Reference
    Creator Related names
    Date Repository
    Digital ID (or video frame ID) Reproduction number
    Formats Subjects
    Medium Title

Examples

Prints and Photographs Division (collection with MARC item-level records; includes an introduction and a cataloging tools bibliography):

Architecture and Interior Design for 20th Century America: Photographs by Samuel Gottscho and William Schleisner, 1935-1955
Geography and Map Division (collection with MARC item-level records; includes an introduction and a cataloging tools bibliography):
Map Collections, 1597-1988
Prints and Photographs Division (collection with finding aid item-level records; includes an introduction and a cataloging tools bibliography):
Baseball Cards, 1887-1914

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September 1999