[DCRM-L] Bib Standards response to RDA pt. 1

[Deborah J. Leslie]

Dear colleagues,

This is the content of the Bibliographic Standards Committee's response to RDA pt. 1, as submitted by Manon Théroux (the ACRL liaison to CC:DA) in the Confluence system. 



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BSC response to RDA pt. 1, February 2006

Overall comments (keyword: Early Printed Resources)

There is no desire on our part to duplicate the specialized rules for cataloging rare materials as given in DCRM(B) and its earlier versions; however, we do want to ensure that, 1) a cataloger using RDA for early rare or printed resources receives sufficient guidance for the exigencies of the material, and 2) arrives at a description that does not deviate markedly from a description created according to DCRM(B). We have articulated the need for more precise, faithful, and full transcriptions and physical description in the introduction to DCRM(B), and will not it repeat here. We are, however, happy to discuss any questions or issues that arise based on the needs of the rare materials community of catalogers and users (staff and patrons alike).

We would like to see a definition of early printed resources, either in the text or in the glossary. We suggest something like: Materials manufactured before the advent of machine-production ca. 1825-1830. 

In addition to early printed resources, DCRM(B) explicitly covers later printed resources that institutions or individuals have chosen to distinguish from general library collections by the ways in which they house, preserve, or collect them, usually because these items exhibit significant artifactual value. For that reason, we encourage any mention of early printed resources to include these later "rare" materials as well. A definition of "rare resources" (or whatever you chose to call them) would be necessary. 

0.1.1 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER STANDARDS FOR RESOURCE DESCRIPTION

 

Please make references to DCRM(B) as well as to other specialist codes based on AACR. 

0.1.6/1.4. MANDATORY ELEMENTS

We appreciate the listing of the mandatory minimum elements needed for a bibliographic description, but wonder if the instruction here that all other elements are discretionary is sufficient. One example: 

3.5.1.4. Early printed books, etc. 

Record the format of an early printed book, etc., in an abbreviated form (e.g., fol., 4to, 8vo, 12mo) in parentheses following the dimensions. 

makes it sound as though recording the format is required. We urge clear identification within the text of the various rules when a provision is mandatory or discretionary. 

0.1.9. EXAMPLES

We have refrained from making comments on examples except where examples are part of the text of the rules. However, for the record, there are some significantly problematic examples for early printed materials. If you wish to relate our willingness to point them out to the committee working on examples before the draft is released, please feel free.

1.6. TRANSCRIPTION

We appreciate the optional provision in 1.6.2 for transcribing roman numerals &c. as they appear on the resource. However, we would also like an optional provision under 1.6 for early and rare printed resources, instructing full transcription, but at the very least to use the mark of omission whenever omitting any data from any transcription field: title, statement of responsibility, publication information, and series information. Placing it here would relieve the necessity of giving repeated "Optional" instructions for early printed resources throughout the text, since a statement such as "following the general guidelines on transcription given under 1.6" would suffice.

1.6.2. NUMERALS AND NUMBERS EXPRESSED AS WORDS

Optionally, for early printed resources, transcribe numerals and numbers expressed as words appearing in an edition statement, a statement relating to a named revision of an edition, or date of publication, distribution, etc., in the form in which they appear on the source of information.

The option for early printed resources needs to extend to all transcribed data elements, including series and serial numbering, not just the edition statement and date of publication. 

1.6.4. SYMBOLS THAT CANNOT BE REPRODUCED 

􀂾 Replace symbols and other characters, etc., that cannot be reproduced by the facilities available with a description of the symbol enclosed in square brackets.

There are examples throughout these rules of superscript characters transcribed as such. We would like recognition of the widespread inability to reproduce superscript and subscript characters in library catalogs, and instruction on how to transcribe them. 

1.6.7. ABBREVIATIONS

Add an option for early and rare printed resources to preserve in transcription all original spelling. This would mean that no abbreviation is allowed unless the abbreviation itself appears on the resource. 

2.2.1. PREFERRED SOURCE OF INFORMATION

FN: Add phrase  The resource itself includes both the storage medium (e.g., paper, tape, or film) and any housing (e.g., a cover, cassette or cartridge) that is an integral part of the resource, but excludes accompanying material and any container that is separable from the storage medium and/or housing (e.g., a dust jacket, case or box).

 

2.2.1.1. Resources comprising multiple pages or page images

􀂾 If the resource lacks a title page (or title page image), use as the preferred source of information one of the following (in order of preference):

a) a cover

b) a caption

c) a masthead

d) a colophon

or an image of one of the above (in the order of preference indicated).

We object to having the order of preference dictated, preferring to have the option of choosing the source with the most complete or best information relating to the resource being described. For example, it is likelier that an early printed resource will have more complete information in the colophon than a caption, or possible that a running head identifies the resource as a whole while a caption identifies only a part of the resource. 

In certain legal publications, the docket title provides the best title information. Please consider adding “docket title” to the list of preferred sources of information.. 

2.2.1.1. Resources comprising multiple pages or page images
For a resource containing multiple pages (e.g. a book or an issue of a periodical) or page images (e.g. a microform reproduction of a musical score or a PDF file of a text), use the title page (or title page image) as the preferred source of information.

It is sometimes the case, especially with 19c works (which DCRM(B) was written specifically to include) that the cover will have more recent publication, etc., information than the title page. For example, a pamphlet (with a title page) might be bound inside a paper wrapper printed with all the information traditionally found on a title page (title, statement of responsibility, edition statement, place of publication, publisher, date), but this cover information will contain an edition statement, publisher, publication date, etc., that is more recent than what is on the title page. Generally this happens when a publisher buys out the unsold stock of another publisher and reissues it in a new cover while keeping the old title page. We would like an option for early and rare printed resources that would allow the cover to be considered a preferred source in these situations.

 

2.2.4. INFORMATION TAKEN FROM SOURCES OUTSIDE THE RESOURCE ITSELF

If information taken from outside the resource itself is used in any of the following elements, enclose it in square brackets:

Exception:

If the resource is of a type that does not normally carry identifying information (e.g., a

photograph, a naturally occurring object, or a collection), omit the square brackets.

The value in a policy of using square brackets for any cataloger-supplied information is an excellent one, but is significantly undercut when exceptions are made for certain types of material. For example, the title of a photograph without square brackets will suggest that the recorded title appears on the photograph itself. Mindful of the fact that records for different types of items sit cheek-by-jowl in our OPACs, we recommend removing the exceptions, using square brackets for all supplied data. Likewise for 2.3.7.3.

A minority opinion within the RBMS/BSC community approves of the elimination of square brackets for archives &c.

2.3.0.2. Sources of information

c) For parallel titles, take the information from a source within the resource

itself.

In a general cataloging context, we are thinking of a translation with the title on the t.p., and the original title on the verso in small type. The rule as written seems to allow the transcription of the original title as a parallel title. That is, it allows too much flexibility in recording parallel titles. We request that the parallel title be restricted to the same source as the title proper. 

2.3.0.5. Introductory words, etc.

􀂾 Do not transcribe words that serve as an introduction and are not intended to be

part of the title.

Sleeping Beauty
(Title appears on resource as: Disney presents Sleeping Beauty)

NASA quest
(Title appears on resource as: Welcome to NASA quest)

􀂚 Optionally, if the form in which the title appears on the source of information is considered to be important (either for identification or for access) record that form of the title as a variant title (see 2.3.4.3).

It is unclear to us what is meant by "words that ... are not intended to be part of the title." Consider, for example, this title: Here foloweth a notable treatyse and full necessary to all Crysten men for to knowe and it is named The ordynarye of Crystyanyte or of Crysten men. It would be a grave distortion in the description of this resource to skip all that precedes The ordynarye of Crystyanyte or of Crysten men in transcribing the title proper. In addition, an agency treating a title such as Disney presents Sleeping Beauty as a rare resource, with its corresponding importance of faithful transcription, will want to consider the title proper as: Disney presents Sleeping Beauty. 

At the very least, we request better guidance on how to recognize when words "are not intended to be part of the title." Preferably, we would like an optional provision for early and rare printed  resources to transcribe the title as given. 

2.3.1.1. Definition                                                              

 The title proper is the chief title of a resource (i.e., the title normally used when

citing the resource).

We find this definition highly problematic in its ambiguity; it equates a "chief title" (descriptive element) with a citation title (which we cannot help but identify as some sort of uniform title). Moreover, the term "chief title" has long been used in the rare book cataloging community to indicate a *portion* of a title proper. The DCRM(B) glossary makes a clear distinction between "chief title" and "title proper," a distinction (if not the actual wording) we commend to your consideration.

From DCRM(B) glossary

Chief title. The distinguishing word or sequence of words that names a publication, as given on the title page (or substitute). This definition excludes alternative titles, parallel titles, other title information, and subsidiary title information preceding the chief title on the title page, such exclusion resulting usually in a short title. See also Title proper.

Title proper. The chief title of a publication, together with any title information preceding the chief title and any alternative title. This definition excludes parallel titles and any other title information following the chief title. For publications containing several individual works, the title proper is the collective title. See also Chief title.

2.3.1.3. Title in two or more languages or scripts

If the source of information for the title proper ...

We find this language confusing. Is the source of information for the title proper always the same as the preferred source of information for the resource as specified in 2.2.1? If so, why is it identified as the "source of information for the title proper" rather than the "preferred source of information?" Later provisions instruct the cataloger to take information relating to edition, publication, &c. from the same source as the title proper. Why bother to even give guidelines of choosing the preferred source of information in the first place, if the source of information for the title proper is the anchor for the other transcriptive elements. 

2.3.3.3. Basic instructions on recording other title information

Do not record information relating to the currency of the contents or the frequency of updating as other title information. Record such information as a note on frequency, etc. (see 2.11).

 

This prohibition is too restrictive for early and rare printed resources, because of the requirement of full and faithful transcription. Add an option to allow for the transcription of such data in the description. 

2.4.0.3. Recording statements of responsibility

Optionally, in lieu of recording a statement of responsibility as a descriptive element, provide a controlled access point for the responsible person, family, or corporate body (see chapters 11–16).

Say it ain't so! An optional statement of responsibility brings back the bad old days of pre-AACR2 which continue to be an absolute bane for authority control: it eliminates evidence of usage for the formulation of headings as well as for authorial identification of related resources. It also covers up errors of identification by the cataloger, which can be disastrous because they're so well hidden. We strongly urge you to eliminate the optional provision.

2.4.0.7. Titles of nobility, address, honour, etc. 

Otherwise, omit all such data from statements of responsibility. Do not use the

mark of omission.

Add optional provision for early printed materials to transcribe all such statements, or to use the mark of omission when omitting them. See also comment on 1.6.

2.4.3.1. Definition

A note on a statement of responsibility is a note providing information on statements of responsibility relating to persons, families, and corporate bodies playing subsidiary roles … 

 

Delete “subsidiary” from definition, since information may also need to be provided on those playing primary roles in responsibility. 

 

2.7. PUBLISHER, DISTRIBUTOR, ETC.
2.8. PLACE OF PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC.
2.9. DATE OF PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC.

The rules for recording name, place, and date relating to publication, distribution, etc., assume these data are presented in discrete packages on the resource. They also assume modern roles and relationships between publisher, distributor, and manufacturer. As they stand, these rules are thus completely inadequate for recording publication information for early printed resources. 

Consider the following examples of imprints. 

And newely in the yer¯ of Our Lord God MCCCClxxxxvij enpryntid at Westmestre by Wynken de Worde 

Durch Peter Clement, Kunstführer zu München

A Lausanne et se trouve à Paris chez la v. Regnard & Demonville

Gedrukt voor den uitgever by H.J. de Roode te Westzaandam, en zyn te bekomen te Amsteldam by B. van der Klok, boekverkooper op de Blaauw Burgwal

Printed at Worcester, Massachusetts by Isaiah Thomas. Sold by him in Worcester, by said Thomas and Andrews in Boston, and by said Thomas and Carlisle, in Walpole, Newhampshire

Philadelphia printed, London reprinted for C. Dilly

Reading: Printed and sold by J. Newbery and C. Micklewright: also by Mess. Ware, Birt, Astley, Austen, Robinson, Dodsley and Needham, in London; Mr. Fletcher in Oxford; Mr. Thurlbourn in Cambridge; Mess. Ward and Chandler at York and Scarborough; Mr. Collins in Salisbury;  Mr. Frederick at Bath; Mr. Craighton in Ipswich; and Mr. Wimpey in Newbury 

anno Domini MDCXIV

We request explicit instruction for early and rare printed resources to transcribe phrases as phrases, and to supply elements in square brackets in their designated element if they are transcribed as part of another element

2.7.1.3. No publisher identified

If the resource is in an unpublished form

Here and elsewhere references to "published form" or "unpublished form" appear. More guidance is needed for determining what is "published" and what is not, a distinction that has become increasingly murky with the proliferation of  internet documents. 

2.8.4.1. Definition

A place of production is a place associated with the production, fabrication, construction, etc., _of_ a resource.

Is "production" primarily for or limited to unpublished materials? If so, why not make it more clear? We puzzled over the difference between manufacture and production, and figured it out only through close comparison of the words associated with the two functions. We recommend making the definition more explicit and perhaps add an example.

2.9.1.3. Date of publication not identified in the resource

If an approximate date of publication for a resource that is in a published form cannot reasonably be determined, record date unknown, enclosed in square brackets.

[date unknown]
(Resource probably published in the late 1800s or early 1900s)

An approximate date of publication can always be reasonably determined when the possible date range is practically infinite, e.g., [17th or 18th century]. Resources described by this rule, especially as time goes on, could be the product of any one of several centuries, and date is one of the most important pieces of information for providing context. At the very least, in the last resort, when one's back is against the wall, the cataloger knows it can't have been published after the date that it was cataloged, so a “[not after 2005]” would be available. We therefore strongly urge that this option be removed. 

2.9.3. COPYRIGHT DATE

Add optional provision for early and rare printed  resources to reserve the date of publication element for dates of publication only, not for copyright dates. After much discussion while writing DCRM(B), we have concluded that since the date of publication is a transcription element, and given the considerable difficulty of transcribing dates that are imbedded in copyright statements, we have decided in DCRM(B) to transcribe publication dates only. Copyright dates may be used as a source of conjecture for a publication date. 

On resource: "Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866 ... in the clerk's office of the Dist. Court of the U.S., for the Southern District of New York"

Bibliographic record: [1866]

2.9.3.1. Definition [of copyright date]

We would like to have guidance on interpreting and treating statements such as "dep. legal" which  often occur in colophons of modern Romance-language books. Is it a copyright statement? A manufacture date? Something else?

2.9.5. DATE OF PRODUCTION 

The instructions cover recording the date of an archive or collection or a published resource only. Add a basic instruction on recording a date of production for single unpublished items.

2.9.5.3. Recording date of production for an archival resource or a collection

If no date can be found in the resource or determined from any other source, estimate the nearest year, decade, century or other interval as precisely as possible. When it may be misleading to record an estimated date, record undated, enclosed in square brackets.

We reiterate our conviction that providing some sort of date is an extremely important bit of information for describing a resource, published or not. If the best that can be done is narrowing it to a century or a split century, that is acceptable; "[undated]" is not.

2.10.0.3. SERIES

Add optional provision for early printed or rare resources to transcribe the series statement exactly as it appears on the resource, without abbreviation or conversion of Roman to arabic numerals, and without insertion of the letters "ISSN" when recording the ISSN, here or in 1.6. The reason: series statements are a transcription field; faithful transcription is important.

3.4.1.1. Number of pages, leaves, or columns 

Record the number of pages, leaves, or columns as appropriate to the presentation used in the resource, applying the following general guidelines: a) if the resource comprises leaves bearing text, images, etc., on both sides, record the number of pages 

a) if the resource comprises leaves bearing text, images, etc., on both sides, record the number of pages 
b) if the resource comprises leaves bearing text, images, etc., on only one side, record the number of leaves 
c) if the resource comprises pages with more than one column to a page and is numbered in columns, record the number of columns 

It is unclear why the pattern of printing takes precedence over the numeration given in the resource for leaves and pages (items a & b)  in this general rule. Although the provisions that follow are appropriate about recording how the resource presents itself in terms of its numeration, this basic rule doesn't. We urge that foliation and pagination be treated as are columns--privileging numeration over pattern of printing. We do not view this a rare material issue, but rather a general cataloging issue on giving precedence to numbering when it is present.

3.4.1.2. Unnumbered pages, leaves, or columns 

If the resource is comprised entirely of unnumbered pages or leaves, record the number of pages or leaves, in square brackets, if readily ascertainable. If the number is not readily ascertainable, record an estimated number of pages or leaves preceded by ca., without square brackets. 

[93] p. 

ca. 600 p. 

If the resource comprises both numbered and unnumbered sequences of pages or leaves, disregard the unnumbered sequences, unless 

a) an unnumbered sequence constitutes a substantial part of the resource (see also 3.4.1.6) 

or b) an unnumbered sequence includes pages, etc., that are referred to in a note. 

 

Precise statement of extent, including an accounting of every leaf in the text block in a volume, is essential to adequate physical description of early and rare printed resources. We request an optional provision to provide an accounting of every leaf in the resource. If the volume is numbered in terms of pages, this means both sides of every leaf. 

For your consideration, here is an excerpt from DCRM(B) 5B1 and 5B3.
Recording the “complete number” as stated above means recording the number on the last numbered page or leaf of each numbered sequence as the basic statement of extent, with any necessary additions according to succeeding rules, e.g., 5B3, for the addition of unnumbered pages or leaves. 

5B3. Unnumbered pages or leaves
When unnumbered pages or leaves (printed or blank) are not included in a sequence of pagination or foliation, count them according to the terms used to describe the rest of the publication or the part of the publication with which they are associated. In ambiguous cases count them as leaves when they are all printed on one side only; otherwise generally count them as pages. Use arabic numerals within square brackets. Do not count possibly blank leaves wanting according to signature count and not known to exist in other copies. If the gatherings are discernible, include in the count blank leaves at the beginning of the first gathering or at the end of the final gathering when they are present in a copy in hand or known to be present in other copies.

3.4.1.3. Change in form of numbering within a sequence 

If the form of numbering within a sequence changes (e.g., from roman to arabic numerals), ignore the numbering of the first part of the sequence. 

176 p. 

(Pages numbered: i-xii, 13-176) 

 

Add optional provision for early and rare printed resources to record all sequences of numbering. Give example as: xii, [1], 14-176 p.

 

3.4.1.4. Misleading numbering 

Exception: 

For early printed resources record the number of pages, leaves, or columns as instructed in 3.4.1.17. 

We are pleased at the prominence given to the exigencies of cataloging early printed resources, but wonder why these rules are given as an "exception" rather than an "optional" provision as in most of the rest of pt. 1. 

3.4.1.5. Incomplete item 

If the last part of the item is missing and the paging of a complete item cannot be ascertained, record the number of the last numbered page followed by + p. 

 

If the item is not described in terms of pages, “+ p.” would be inappropriate. Change it so that what follows the + corresponds to how the resource is described.

 

3.4.1.13. Sheet designed to be read in pages when folded 

If the resource comprises a single sheet designed to be read in pages when folded, record the extent as 1 folded sheet followed by the number of imposed pages in parentheses. 

1 folded sheet (8 p.) 

It is unclear what is meant by "to be read in pages when folded." Presumably, such a resource is meant to be read sequentially as it is unfolded. Please consider the instruction given to this type of resource in DCRM(B) 5B14.

For a publication consisting of a single sheet folded into multiple panels, include in parentheses a count of the number of physical panels on one side of the sheet when unfolded. Include both blank panels and panels containing text or illustrations in the count. Enclose the number in square brackets. Provide details of the sheet’s layout (including the numbering of the panels) in a note if desired.

1 folded sheet ([16] panels)

Optional note: A folded sheet with 16 panels on each side when unfolded. All panels are unnumbered.

3.4.5.10. Early printed resources

For early printed resources, make a note giving details of the signatures, if they are considered to be important. 

Make notes on the number of columns or lines and the type measurements, if they are considered to be important.

Since according to 0.1.6 the recording of most data elements is discretionary, why is the phrase “if they are considered to be important” used, here and throughout the draft? Is not that assumed? Chapter 3 especially is full of variations on the phrase. Its use conflicts with other equally discretionary instructions pertaining to early materials, such as that to record the physical format after the dimensions (3.5.1.4). See our comment on 0.1.6/1.4. This problem should be solved by a clear and consistent treatment of required vs. discretionary elements of the description.

 

3.6.6.3. Recording illustrative matter 

Optionally, add, in parentheses a term indicating the method used to produce the illustrations (woodcuts, metal cuts, etc.). 

We request the replacement of "metal cuts" from this instruction with another type. Although metal cuts are a valid method of illustration, it is a very rare type, restricted almost entirely to 15th century German books. Furthermore, a long-standing misuse of "metal cuts" in various incarnations of the rare book cataloging rules--based on a mistaken equating of "metal cuts" with "engravings"-- has recently come to light. This error appears in thousands of bibliographic records, and we want to do everything possible to avoid perpetuating the error. We suggest using "(woodcuts, lithographs, etc.)" instead.

3.6.7.3. Recording colour 

If the content or illustrative matter is coloured or partly coloured, indicate the presence of colour by recording col., some col., etc. 

"Colour illustration” is the standard term in graphic materials cataloging and the art world, where it is distinct from “coloured illustration," indicating an illustration that became “coloured” only when hand-colouring was applied. See Glaister's The Encyclopedia of the Book.

6.2.1 RECORDING ITEM-SPECIFIC DETAILS OF EARLY PRINTED RESOURCES

It is essential for copy-specific notes to be clearly distinguished from notes relating to the work/expression/manifestation. There are several ways to accomplish this; most rare material repositories preface the note with "[Repository name] copy:" and/or use MARC field 590 or ‡5 to indicate the nature of the note. We understand of course that RDA does not concern itself with MARC fields, but believe that the principle of distinguishing copy-specific from other types of notes should be included in the text of the rules.

Submitted to ACRL liaison to CC:DA by Deborah J. Leslie
Chair, ACRL/RBMS/Bibliographic Standards Committee

Input into the Confluence software by Manon Théroux
ACRL liaison to CC:DA, February 9-14, 2006 

 _________________________________
Deborah J. Leslie, M.A., M.L.S.
Head of Cataloging
Folger Shakespeare Library
djleslie at folger.edu
http://www.folger.edu

 

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