|
Libraries Policies: Cataloging Policies
Standards for Local Cataloging
Cataloging produced for inclusion in the local online catalog is performed in accordance with certain national and international standards:
Classification
Most of the collections are classified
according to the most recent editions of the Library of Congress Classification
System (LCC). Older materials that were originally classified using the
Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) retain their Dewey numbers until some
circumstance triggers a reclassification. Government Documents are assigned
Superintendent of Documents (SuDocs) and other document numbers as appropriate.
Exceptions to the general policy for classification in LCC may be made
for certain groups of materials for which actual subject classification
is impractical or for which association with the particular group is considered
critical. Such materials may receive group or accession-based call numbers
rather than a classification number. For a full list of approved
exceptions, see Classification-approved Exceptions to Standard Practice.
Description
Materials are described according to the
most recent version of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, second
edition (AACR2). In the case of certain materials, AACR2 may be augmented
but not replaced by use of an authorized "manual of interpretation". The
term "manual of interpretation" is used to denote any of the authoritative
extensions or interpretations of AACR2 for particular types of materials,
such as Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Books; Henson's Archives,
Personal Papers, and Manuscripts; Archival Moving Image Materials; Graphic
Materials; Guidelines for Description of Interactive Multimedia.
Subject Headings
Materials are assigned subject headings
from the current version of the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). When pre-existing bibliographic copy contains MeSH or LC Juvenile
Subject Headings, these headings are retained on the copy.
Content Designation
Records are tagged and coded for
machine manipulation according to the current version of the OCLC/MARC
formats, as augmented and/or revised by local system documentation.
Exceptions to these practices are made only for compelling
reasons, and only after due consideration and consultation with those affected.
For materials cataloged by units outside Technical Services, this includes
consultation with Technical Services.
Related Documents: Classification-approved Exceptions to Standard Practice
Additional Descriptors: Classification System; Subject Heading System; MARC formats; Descriptive Cataloging Standard
5/13/1996 (revised 4/15/1998)
