[DCRM-L] ISBD Area 0 (content form; media type) and Rare Materials cataloging

[Elizabeth O'Keefe]

This is a very knotty topic. Though in some ways the loss of the GMD (if RDA outlaws it) is to be regretted, the allowable terms were often so vague or so library-speak ("realia") as to be useless. Even "graphic" (one of the better terms) is too vague, if your users care whether the item is a drawing, a print, or a photograph.

Earlier drafts of RDA contemplated some sort of  arrangement that would relate the specific material designation more closely to the more general terms, facilitating displays like:

Image : Graphic : Drawing

But this fell by the wayside. 

I don't know how many cataloging agencies were using $h [manuscript]. Many probably preferred to follow APPM practice, and therefore included the word manuscript in the $k; those who cared about AACR may have been discouraged from using $h manuscript because LC does not use it.

Liz O'Keefe
>>> "Erin Blake" <EBlake at FOLGER.edu> 1/15/2009 10:39:30 AM >>>

On behalf of the editorial team working on DCRM(Graphics), what are other DCRM communities, especially the three M’s -- Manuscripts, Music, and Maps -- thinking about proposed ISBD Area 0 (http://www.ifla.org/VII/s13/isbdrg/ISBD_Area_0_WWR.htm) and the related MARBI proposal no. 2008-05/3 (http://www.loc.gov/marc/marbi/2008/2008-05-3.html)?
In the words of the MARBI proposal for Media type, Carrier type, and Content type, “These three elements are intended as replacements for the general material designation (GMD) defined in AACR2 1.1C, which is currently recorded in field 245 (Title statement) subfield $h (Medium).” 
Here at the Folger, 245$h [graphic] and [manuscript] are regularly used in rare materials cataloging.  
Thoughts?
     EB. 
--------------------------------------------------
Erin C. Blake, Ph.D.  |  Curator of Art & Special Collections  |  Folger Shakespeare Library  |  201 E. Capitol St. SE  |  Washington, DC 20003-1004  |  office tel. (202) 675-0323  |  fax:  (202) 675-0328  |  eblake at folger.edu  |  www.folger.edu
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