[DCRB-L] Latest available draft of the proposed revision of DCRB 0H

[Robert Maxwell]

I'd just like to point out that "eliminating unnecessary agonizing"
isn't one of the basic principles underlying our rules and isn't really
a very good reason for departing from the AACR2 rule. 

Perhaps there are some rare book principles that make this change from
the DCRB rule necessary? Although if there are particular principled
reasons why we shouldn't ever convert lower to upper case, I should
think the same principled reasons would apply to converting from upper
to lower case.

To paraphrase Lubetzky, "Is this difference in rules necessary?"

I understand that this rule comes from ISBD(A) but in my opinion in the
absence of principles that require rare materials to be treated
differently from other materials AACR2 trumps ISBD(A).

Group 2, on this point, already had to grapple with converting lower
case to upper case when the word begins an area or certain elements
(first word in the title, first word of alternative title, etc.), coming
down on the side of converting in those cases (did we not?). If so, for
me, this weakens the argument that we mustn't convert lower to upper in
other places.

Robert L. Maxwell
Special Collections and Ancient Languages Catalog Librarian
Genre/Form Authorities Librarian
6728 Harold B. Lee Library
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
(801)422-5568 

>-----Original Message-----
>From: dcrb-l-admin at lib.byu.edu 
>[mailto:dcrb-l-admin at lib.byu.edu] On Behalf Of Deborah J. Leslie
>Sent: Friday, May 23, 2003 9:41 AM
>To: dcrb-l at lib.byu.edu
>Subject: RE: [DCRB-L] Latest available draft of the proposed 
>revision of DCRB 0H
>
>
>This is an ISBD(A) requirement. We (DCRM Working Group 2) know 
>that it is controversial, but wanted to put it out for public comment.
>
>The primary reason is that although in principle converting 
>upper case based on usage may seem a simple proposition, it is 
>in fact often not so for catalogers of rare materials. For 
>example, the Right Honourable is to be capitalized, but what 
>if the phrase is: "ryght honorable, and vertuous lady 
>Katherine." Or even more ambiguous, "the honorable, vertuous, 
>and pious lady Katherine."
>
>This type of instance abounds, and to eliminate the 
>instruction to convert into upper-case, it is hoped that 
>unnecessary agonizing will be eliminated. We wanted to at 
>least consider following ISBD(A) on this. 
>
>______________________
>Deborah J. Leslie
>Head of Cataloging
>Folger Shakespeare Library
>201 East Capitol St., S.E.
>Washington, D.C. 20003
>202.675-0369 (voice)
>202.675-0328 (fax)
>djleslie at folger.edu
>www.folger.edu 
>
> 
> -----Original Message-----
>From: Stephen R. Young [mailto:stephen.young at yale.edu]
>Sent: Friday, May 23, 2003 9:35 AM
>To: dcrb-l at lib.byu.edu
>Subject: [DCRB-L] Latest available draft of the proposed 
>revision of DCRB 0H
>
>
>In Brian Hillyard's posting to exlibris yesterday of the 
>latest available draft of the proposed revision of DCRB 0H, I 
>notice a somewhat confusing departure from DCRB (italics are mine):
>
>0H. Conversion of case
>
>
>In general, capitalize according to the provisions of AACR2 
>Appendix A. 
>However, do not convert lowercase letters into uppercase.
>
>
>Was it a conscious departure from DCRB not to convert 
>lowercase letters into uppercase? What was the rationale for 
>this change?
>
>
>
>
>Stephen R. Young
>Rare Book Team Leader
>Catalog Dept., Sterling Memorial Library
>Box 208240
>New Haven, CT 06520-8240
>
>Tel.: 203-432-8385
>Fax: 203-432-7231
>
>E-mail: stephen.young at yale.edu 
>