Library of Congress
These are the traditional conventions of bibliographic control developed over time within the United States under the aegis of the library community, particularly the American Library Association, various special library associations, the Library of Congress, the National Agricultural Library, and the National Library of Medicine.
The bibliographic record serves as a surrogate for a particular item and the aggregate of bibliographic records constitutes the catalog. In general, each bibliographic record contains a description of an item as a means of identifying it and distinguishing it from other items. The record contains the means of providing access through various avenues, including author and other entities associated with the work or bearing a relationship to other works in the catalog, title (including uniform title to collocate those works issued under varying titles), series, and subject. Subject access is through subject headings and classification. Classification groups works by topic and is combined with a system of numbering individual items uniquely for purposes of physical access and inventory control. Headings are under authority control, which insures that particular iterations for authors, etc., subjects, and series are distinct for entities/concepts that are separate but are consistent for multiple iterations of the same entity/concept.
Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, including the rules for special materials developed for use in conjunction with AACR 2
Library of Congress Rule Interpretations
Music Cataloging Decisions
Descriptive Cataloging Manual
CONSER Editing Guide
CONSER Cataloging Manual
Subject cataloging aspects:
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Subject Cataloging Manual: Subject Headings
Subject Cataloging Manual: General Cataloging Procedures
Free-Floating Subdivisions: An Alphabetical Index
CPSO Summary of Decisions, Editorial Meeting
Classification/Inventory Control Aspects:
Library of Congress Classification
Subject Cataloging Manual: Classification
Subject Cataloging Manual: Shelflisting
Dewey Decimal Classification
Machine-Readable Cataloging Aspects (MARC):
USMARC Format for Bibliographic Data
USMARC Format for Authority Data
USMARC Code List for Countries
USMARC Code List for Geographic Areas
USMARC Code List for Languages
USMARC Code List for Relators, Sources, Description
Conventions
USMARC Specifications for Record Structure, Character Sets,
Tapes
Involves the WYSIWYG concept (what you see is what you get) with modifications made to egregious errors. The record may contain elements that LC does not employ and may not necessarily reflect LC practice in all aspects. Headings are under authority control and should fit into the currently existing heading structure of the catalog. Authority records are created for headings when required. LC does not attempt to ensure that the records adhere to all conventions of full cataloging. Copy cataloging records should contain both an LC call number and at least one LC subject heading in those cases for which LC cataloging policy calls for subject headings.
Report of the Task Force on Copy Cataloging, July 16, 1993
Copy Cataloging Issues, CPSO memorandum (Kay Guiles), February 16, 1994
All access points will be in authorized forms and supported by authority work. The complement of fixed fields will be coded fully. Variable fields are treated as follows:
020 as applicable
040
042
050, 082, 086, etc. -at least one classification number from an established classification system recognized by USMARC
1XXas applicable
240 if known or readily inferred from material being cataloged
245-300 use all fields appropriate to the item being described
4XX transcribe if present; other aspects (classification, analysis, tracing) are local in nature; if series added entries are provided, they must be in an authoritative form (440/8XX) supported by authority work if it has not already been done
5XX only those that support identification of an item need be included: 500 (for source of title if not from t.p.); 505 (contents); 533 (reproduction note)
6XX at least one or two, as appropriate, from an established thesaurus or subject heading system recognized by USMARC
7XX a complement that covers at least the primary relationships associated with a work (e.g., joint authorship) and that brings out title access information judged to be important
8XX use as appropriate if access is provided to the series through a normalized form
Cooperative Cataloging Council Task Group 4: Standards Final Report, October 29, 1993
MLC was designed as a means of providing access to 1) items worth retaining in the collections but not worth the expense of full cataloging and 2) a very large number of items in arrearages that were unavailable to users. Though represented by a less than full catalog record, it was judged that the power of the online retrieval system would, to some extent, be able to compensate.
The data elements basic to the descriptive aspect (020, 1XX, 245, 250, 260, 300, 490) have always been included. Although some records for books were input prior to the implementation of AACR 2, records input after December 31, 1980, generally reflect AACR 2. As the MLC program developed, procedures were adopted to insure that headings in MLC records are consistent with headings used in the current component of the machine catalog to the extent that the former are represented by an existing authority record or are used in another catalog record in the machine catalog. Headings without such representation are formulated according to AACR 2. Series follow the practice stated in a series authority record or another catalog record; otherwise they are untraced. The goal is to integrate MLC records into the catalog without creating conflicts or discrepancies.
The following is a statement of limitations; see also the section on VARIATIONS for a description of the evolution of this mode.
Variable fields
050 instead of classification, a shelf number designed to facilitate compact shelving; provision for classification/call number introduced in November 1990 (see Enhanced MLC under VARIATIONS)
X30 used after September 1986
240 used after September 1986
5XX originally none; selected use after September 1986
6XX none; provision for limited use introduced in November 1992 (see Enhanced MLC under VARIATIONS
653 provision for uncontrolled subject words introduced in June 1990
7XX originally none; provision for one 7XX when main entry under title introduced in 1984; expanded to include 1 7XX when main entry is 1XX and 2 when entry under title in September 1986
8XX originally none; 440, 8XX used after September 1986
Fixed fields
Initially, very limited. In 1984 it was decided to use the BOOKSM file for creating MLC records. Default values were assigned by the input/update system; they remained and may or may not have been correct for a particular item being cataloged. Values in the following fixed fields are actively assigned to reflect the item:
Encoding level (originally 5; 7 after September 1986)
Language code
Intellectual level ("j" if intended for children through age 16); used after September 1986
Type of date code (used after September 1986)
Date of publication--date 1
Date of publication--date 2 as applicable (used after September 1986)
Country of publication code (used after September 1986)
Form of reproduction code--microforms (used after September 1986; later changed to Form of material; only value used is for microforms)
DCM B10 (general); DCM B11 (books); DCM B12 (serials)
Production Level Cataloging for Music, rev. September 1992
Subject cataloging aspects:
Production Level Cataloging for Music, rev. September 1992
Guidelines for Enhanced MLC, rev. March 8, 1993
Classification/Inventory Control Aspects:
DCM B10, B11, B12 Production Level Cataloging for Music, rev. 1992
Guidelines for Enhanced MLC, rev. March 8, 1993
Initial phase - 1980 began in APIF I; limited content designation; series classified as a collection and multipart items excluded except for microforms
Middle phase -1984 input directly into BOOKSM file
1) full and correct content designation
2) data elements expanded to include coding additional fixed fields (juvenile; type of date code; date 2; country of publication code); providing 1 7XX when entry under 245; providing 8XX that differ in form from 4XX
3) authority work expanded to include that needed to break conflicts
Current phase - 1986; called Enhanced MLC or MLC +
1) data elements expanded to include 240; X30 and certain kinds of 5XX; 1 7XX if main entry under 1XX; 2 7XX if entry under 245
2) authority work expanded to include tracing a cross reference when the heading used differs significantly from the form in the item, that needed for uniform titles, and provision for some series authority work
3) scope expanded to include multipart items classified separately
4) began to input into APIF II in 1989
Current phase extended
1) introduced use of 653 field (uncontrolled subject words) in June 1990
2) introduced limited subject/classification aspects, also called "Enhanced MLC," in November 1992; usually based on an external source record
a) at a minimum an 050 or at least 1 6XX; other subject aspects may be supplied (043; fixed fields (conference publication; juvenile; fiction; biography; nature of contents)
b) level of subject analysis at discretion of team
c) whatever level, insure that subject headings used exemplify current subject heading practice
d) authority work for 600 family names and those categories of 650 topical subject headings and non-jurisdictional geographic 651 fields
e) 050 from an external source record or assigned in team; when assigned, insure that the class number corresponds to the primary subject of the work, as shown in the first 6XX field retained from source record or assigned in team; reflects current practice in all other aspects
3) scope expanded to include applying 050 call number to analytics in collected sets, provided the analytic is initially designated for MLC
Special categories
CJK -books in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean; records input into RLIN and contain both vernacular and roman data; available in LC in JACKPHY read-only file (roman data only); no value set in modified record fixed field
Overseas offices -the records may contain an internal control number in 025 (Overseas Acquisitions Number), a summary note, and a language note as appropriate; records input prior to 1987 generally contain a full complement of notes and values assigned in the full complement of fixed fields (except that records for items in nonroman scripts input after July 1985 do not contain value "o" in FFD 28)
Pamphlets -the Bound Pamphlet Project is an effort to represent approximately 30,000 pamphlets relating to American history that form various pamphlet collections housed in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division; it is estimated that about 20,000 of these will be MLC records; they contain a regular call number (the LC call numbers assigned to the pamphlets in these collections)
Maps -the basis for these records is the National Level Bibliographic Record--Maps as stated in the USMARC Format for Bibliographic Data; the records contain a regular LC call number followed by a space and the letters "MLC"; limited subject analysis is applied (each record contains at least one 6XX); added entries (except for series) are rarely made; values in the full complement of fixed fields are assigned; atlases are excluded from MLC
Microforms
MicRR -records for microforms housed in the Microfilm Reading Room were initially prepared and input by staff in the Microform Processing Unit of the MicRR, later transferred to SMCD; records input prior to March, 1985 reflect the limitations of APIF I; the records contain a microform shelf number in 050, a physical description fixed field (007), and a reproduction note (533)
Overseas offices -the records may contain an internal control number in 025 (Overseas Acquisitions Number), a summary note, and a language note as appropriate; in addition, the records contain a microform shelf number in 050 (prior to 1982 the prefixes "SEI" (Indonesia), "SEM" (Malaysia), and "SES" (Singapore) were used in addition to the other components of those numbers), a physical description fixed field (007), and a reproduction note (533);records input prior to 1987 generally contain a full complement of notes and values assigned in the full complement of fixed fields (except that records for items in nonroman scripts input after July 1985 do not contain value "o" in FFD 28)
PMO -records for microform replacement copies of brittle books are prepared and input by staff in the Preservation Microfilming Office; records input prior to March, 1985 reflect the limitations of APIF I; the records contain a microform shelf number in 050, a physical description fixed field (007), and a reproduction note (533); in addition, they contain a note indicating the call number of the macroform that has now been replaced, and may contain a note indicating that a particular type of material (e.g., maps. illustrations) is preserved in a specific LC custodial division
Music -generally follows the conventions laid down for books with respect to authority work and integrating records into the catalog; in addition, includes authority work required to establish any subjects or classification numbers needed; includes some data elements specific to scores and sound recordings, both fixed fields (form of composition code; format of score; existence of parts) and variable fields (050 (regular call number for scores; label name and number and custodial designation for sound recordings); 254 (Presentation); 028 (Publisher or Plate Number); 5XX notes specific to scores (medium of performance if not stated or implied; contents; publisher's number notes when they cannot be generated by the 028 field; initially, "Minimal level cataloging" as the final note (later changed ca. 1990 to "Production level cataloging")) and specific to sound recordings (medium of performance if not stated or implied; statement of responsibility (511); when and where recorded (518); statement of previous issue if the date and/or original company are given; accompanying material if significant or physically separable; contents but without durations and composers for popular music, durations for other types; publisher's number notes when they cannot be generated by the 028 field; initially, "Minimal level cataloging" as the last note (later changed ca. 1990 to "Production level cataloging")); in addition, provision of subject access (generally 1 6XX (with some exceptions for more); 043) and provision of 1 7XX may be made for items entered under 245 with some additional provisions for 7XX specific to scores and sound recordings (for sound recordings added entries for performers are, and analytic added entries for (classical recordings) may, be made as in full cataloging).
Serials -minimal level serial records are created by catalogers in the CONSER Minimal Level Cataloging Section in the Serial Record Division. All records are created on OCLC within the context of the CONSER Program. Existing records are used when available, and if the existing record is a full level record, the level is retained. All headings are either authoritative or in AACR 2 form. Subject headings are not given in newly created MLC records but may be found in full level records adapted from OCLC. Numbered series must be authoritative. Classification numbers are not given; shelf numbers are used for both printed and microform serials; for printed serials the shelf number begins with the letters "WMLC"; for microforms, the shelf number begins with the word "Microfilm" or "Microfiche."
MLC for serials began with a list of descriptive fields that were to be used in newly created MLC records. Through the use of already existing full level records, catalogers had to be aware of all descriptive fields and soon began using many more descriptive fields in newly created MLC records. Restricting the descriptive fields was not seen as a major time savings.
Subject headings present in existing records used for MLC are retained without verification. CMLC catalogers are currently receiving training in subject headings and authority files so as to be able to verify that headings are currently valid, correctly constructed, and properly tagged. Verification should begins in the spring. Adding subject headings to newly created MLC records is also a desire for the future.
Name headings do not have to be authoritative but must be constructed according to AACR 2 and LCRIs. Numbered series must be authoritative; when there is no SAR, they are forwarded to a full level serial cataloger to be established. Unnumbered series that have no SAR are treated as untraced. Series that are collected under a classification number are out of scope for MLC; however, some series (particularly arrearage) have been collected under the WMLC shelf number. The bibliographic record for these serves as the authority.
The CMLC Section began with the primary goals of cataloging the Adams arrearage and the reproduction microforms. With the completion of the Adams arrearage in 1993, the section is now cataloging specific arrearages from a number of divisions (e.g., pulp fiction and comic books--Serial Division; slavic serials-- European Division; folklife materials--American Folklife Center, etc.). The section continues to catalog all reproduction microforms.
An appropriate main entry heading (1XX) is given, although the diversity of the items or collections makes title main entry more likely. Titles are constructed by the cataloger in English and begin with the substantive element of the collection. Subject headings (6XX) and added entries (7XX) are assigned as appropriate to the collection. Headings are constructed according to applicable rules, but no authority records are created. Call numbers are assigned to those items that are bound and housed in the general collections. Collection level shelf numbers are assigned to those items housed in special areas designated for collection level cataloging. In some cases, class numbers are used to subarrange materials housed in those areas.
Collections Services Memorandum no. 127 (rev. October 10,
1991)
Collections Services Memorandum no. 127 (rev. August 12, 1992;
draft version)
5XX: Formal contents notes are made only in the case of collections of regular monographic material. For such collections, full contents notes indicating author, title, illustrator (when appropriate), edition (when appropriate), and date of publication are provided. Each piece in the collection is assigned a volume number which is included in the contents note.
7XX: An analytical author-title added entry heading is provided for each volume in a collection of regular monographic material. If the name is not represented in the file, the AACR2 form of the name is used but no authority record is created.
Collection Level Cataloging (Eric Wayne Model)
Information to be supplied after an ad hoc subcommittee of the Workflow and Documentation Issues Group appointed to consider this model makes its recommendations.
Library of Congress