2. Work in pairs
Describe the item handed to you:
◦ Title
◦ Author(s) or other responsible people
◦ Physical properties
◦ Publication data
◦ Series (if any)
3. In-Class Exercise: Description
AACR2
◦ Publishers and Development
◦ Library of Congress Rule Interpretations (LCRIs)
◦ Organization
Description
Format
Form of issuance
Facsimiles
Access
The case for a new code
4. Developers:
◦ American Library Association
◦ Australian Committee on Cataloging
◦ British Library
◦ Canadian Committee on Cataloging
◦ Library Association (U.K.) [later the Chartered Institute of Library
and Information Professionals]
◦ Library of Congress
AACR in 1967, AACR2 in 1978
Major revisions in 1988 and 2002
6. Official protocol:
◦ Formal proposals to American Library Association’s
Cataloging and Classification Section’s Description and
Access Committee (CC: DA)
◦ Public discussion and position papers
◦ Forwarding proposal to the Joint Steering Committee for
Revision of AACR2
◦ A slow and lengthy process!!
7. Intended for internal use at LC
De facto use by many libraries in the U.S.
Provided detailed explanations of how to apply
certain rules (e.g., LCRI 21.30J)
Provide for consistency
“Case law” approach
Need for consultation of both AACR2 and LCRIs
8. Part 1: Description
◦ Chapter 1: General Rules of Description
◦ Chapter 2: Books, Pamphlets and Printed Sheets
◦ Chapter 3: Cartographic Materials
◦ Chapter 4: Manuscripts
◦ Chapter 5: Music
◦ Chapter 6: Sound Recordings
◦ Chapter 7: Motion Pictures and Videorecordings
◦ Chapter 8: Graphic Materials
◦ Chapter 9: Electronic Resources
◦ Chapter 10: Three Dimensional Artifacts and Realia
◦ Chapter 11: Microforms
◦ Chapter 12: Continuing Resources
◦ Chapter 13: Analysis
9. AACR2 Glossary:
◦ “In its widest sense, a particular physical presentation of
an item.”
Which chapter would you use for:
◦ An atlas?
◦ A songbook which is ½ text, ½ musical scores?
◦ Maps issued as a serial?
◦ Photocopies of maps issued as a serial?
◦ Electronic reproductions of maps issued as a serial?
10. Serial vs. Monograph
Which chapter is used for:
◦ Loose-leaf for updating?
◦ Web site that is periodically updated?
◦ Form of issuance for different physical carriers?
11. Should the bibliographic record reflect:
◦ the original work with a note for information about the
facsimile?
OR
◦ the facsimile with a link to the original work’s record?
12. Limits imposed by the manual (card catalog)
environment
◦ In 1980’s: development of OPACs and removal of limits
Main entry vs. added entry
13. The problem of multiple formats
Application to new formats
Inconsistencies within AACR2 itself
◦ Defining the logical structure of AACR2
◦ Rules for a given format distributed throughout AACR2
Calls for greater cataloger flexibility, ease of use,
less time for cataloging
