[DCRB-L] Main entry for collectors

[Jane Gillis]

I think we are on solid enough ground in assigning the main entry to a 
collector of a group of items that are cataloged on a collective 
record.  We are following AACR2 when possible, but, AACR2 does *not* 
address collection level cataloging at all.  LC does have guidelines (in 
the cataloging Service bulletin, no. 78 (Fall 1997)).  To quote from it:

"Collections can be so diverse that title main entry is often appropriate 
... 1XX main entries do, however, occur ... In addition, "Archives, 
Personal Papers, and Manuscripts" permits personal or corporate name main 
entry for materials cataloged archivally under the following circumstances:

...
2. when the collection is known under the name of the person who made the 
collection, main entry is under the name of that person, followed by the 
relator, 'collector'."

Among the examples are:

110 2  Bollingen Foundation
245 00 $k Records, $f 1939-1973.
      (Rules used: APPM)

100 1  Purland, Theodocius, $ecollector.
245 00 $a Collection of materials on mesmerism, $f 1842-1854.
      (Rules used: APPM)

I would say that we are following LC in an area that AACR2 has not addressed.

Jane

Jane Gillis | Rare Book Cataloger|  Sterling Memorial Library
Yale University | New Haven CT  06520
(203)432-2633 (voice) | (203)432-4047 (fax) | jane.gillis at yale.edu



At 01:14 PM 1/22/2004 Thursday-0700, Robert Maxwell wrote:
>Arguments have been put forward that it would be logical or a good idea 
>(or enlightened or special :-) to assign main entry to the collector of a 
>group of items that are to be cataloged on a collective record. These 
>arguments are certainly persuasive, but in order to be convincing to the 
>editors (I think ...), giving main entry to collector has to comply with 
>the principles we've all agreed lie behind DCRM(B). One of the main 
>principles is:
>
>"DCRM rules shall conform to the structure and language of the latest 
>revision of AACR2 to the extent possible ... DCRM shall not introduce 
>rules that are not required by differences expected between rare and 
>general materials." (see 
>http://www.folger.edu/bsc/dcrb/wg1finaldraft20030313.doc; this language 
>will appear in DCRM).
>
>As I say, persuasive arguments have been made that doing this might be a 
>good idea, but I have not heard any persuasive argument (yet) that 
>introducing this rule, which *would* produce different results than AACR2 
>would, *is* "required by differences expected between rare and general 
>materials." A cataloger of general materials following AACR2 making a 
>collective record for a group of items (whether it be a scrapbook, a bunch 
>of stuff in the backlog, or a discrete collection of published books) 
>would not assign main entry to the collector under AACR2 rules. The 
>argument that this follows archival practice is only slightly relevant 
>since we are not promulgating archival rules but rare materials rules. The 
>principles for DCRM rule forumlation do not say "DCRM shall not introduce 
>rules that are not required by differences between *archival* and general 
>materials" but "*rare* and general materials."
>
>I am a great fan of the main entry and am not on the side of those in the 
>larger cataloging community who think the concept should be abolished. 
>However, I don't see, in this case, a reason for departing from AACR2 that 
>is required by the *rare* nature of the materials. At least I don't see 
>this yet. It would be more helpful to me to hear arguments, if any, for 
>this aspect of the problem, than to hear arguments that "it makes sense" 
>or "it's a good idea."
>
>And by the way, lest any of you are worried about access (rather than TYPE 
>of entry), DCRM *will* call for an access point for the collector (if 
>any); the debate here is only on the narrow point of whether that access 
>point should be main or added entry.
>
>Bob
>
>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
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