A Checklist for Making Original Records for Monographs
General Philosophy:
There is no exact mathematical formula for making an original cataloging record. Two different catalogers might catalog the same book, and the two records might have some differences. The records could have many differences if one cataloger adheres to certain prescribed standards and the other cataloger does not. It is important that beginning catalogers of original records have at least a basic knowledge of AACR2 Rev. Chapters 1, 2, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. If they do not, they should read and study these chapters in order to become familiar with cataloging rules. Becoming familiar with the rules does not mean memorizing every rule, but becoming familiar with these chapters in AACR2 will enable diligent catalogers to know when to refer to certain topics in these chapters when they are uncertain of cataloging practice. A good librarian is one who knows when, where, how, and why to look things up. A good cataloger should know when, where, how, and why to look things up in AACR2. A beginning cataloger of original records should also have a good knowledge of the MARC format. If in doubt about MARC fields, MARC field indicators, or MARC field delimiters, then the cataloger should be prepared to look these up in Bibliographic Formats and Standards . One also needs a basic knowledge of name and subject authority control and should know the basics of subject analysis before attempting to make original records. One should be familiar with the LC name and subject authority file, LC Subject Cataloging Manual, LC Classification Schedules, and LC cuttering and shelflisting practices.
The following “checklist” does not teach one how to do original cataloging. It is just a checklist for the cataloger to ask, “Did I remember to do this or check this?” when making an original record “from scratch.”
Checklist:
- Did you locate the “chief source of information” in the monograph (the title page or title page substitute)? Always determine what the title page is. Then let this remain as your CHIEF SOURCE while cataloging the item. Some books will have “cover titles” or “caption titles.” (Refer to AACR2 2.0B1).
- Are you supplying descriptive information from “prescribed sources” of information or from outside these prescribed sources? You should bracket descriptive information taken from outside prescribed sources. (Refer to AACR2 2.0B2).
- Does the book have an ISBN number? Record this in the 020 field.
- Does the book have an LC card number (LCCN)? Record this in the 010 field.
- By applying the rules from AACR2 chapter 21, did you determine the main entry and record this in the proper field (100, 110, 111, 130, 245)?
- Does the book have a publishing date (1999) or a copyright date (c1999)? Did you record this properly in the 260 field?
- Are there bibliographical references or indexes? Need a 504 field? Need to code for these in Fixed Field (Cont “b” and Indx “1”)?
- Is the book a translation? Need a uniform title (130 or 240) and 041 field (with first indicator 1)?
- Does the book contain more than one language? Need a 546 note and 041 field (with first indicator 0)?
- Did you fill in proper Fixed Fields? Is the book a biography, a catalog, a conference, a work of fiction, a Festschrift?
- Did you check the book thoroughly for a series (4XX, 8XX fields)? Check the series title page, title page, title page verso, cover, colophon?
- Is the title on the cover or spine different from the title on the title page? Is there a running title? Need a 246 field with proper indicators?
- Did you supply a properly formulated LC call number in the 090 field or 050 (second indicator 4) field?
- Do you need a Contents note (505 field)?
- Are the delimiters in your 6XX fields correct (#x, #y, #z, #v)?
- Did you check over your record for missing indicators, misspelled words, proper punctuation in 260, 300, 4XX, and 8XX fields?
- Is the book part of a set? (300 field will have “v.” in subfield “a”; 260 field open entry date perhaps in subfield “c”? ; Fixed Field DtSt coded “m” for multiple dates perhaps?)? In SIRSI, did you record the proper caption for the volume after the call number? Did you create volume holdings in SIRSI?
Don Jones
March 24, 2006