Copy Cataloging Checklist for Maps

This checklist is for the copy cataloging of a non-rare map or atlas.

Key matching criteria for searching a copy record in OCLC (The following information in the record must match the map in hand,if it is present)

  • ISBN (020)
  • Map creator (1xx): Often refers to corporate bodies, for example, the U.S. Geological Survey. The map creator/contributor can also be found in 7xx.
  • Map title (245) 
  • Edition statement (250)
  • Scale information (255): Note that the scale of the map may be in any of these formats: representative fraction, verbal, or scale bar.
  • Publication information (260/264): The publication date must match the map in hand
  • Extend and physical description (300)
  • Note (500s): Particulary, any unique numeric or alphanumeric codes

Key terms

  • Ancillary map: A small supplementary or secondary map outside the border ("neat line") of the principal or main map
  • Inset map: A small supplementary or secondary map inside the border ("neat line") of the principal or main map
  • Recto (front): The side with the main map
  • Verso (back): The opposite side of the main map
  • Map scale = map distance/earth distance
  • Degrees symbol = Degree sign
  • Minutes symbol = Miagkii Znak or Soft sign
  • Seconds symbol = Tverdyi Znak or Hard sign

Leader

  RDA AACR2
Type of Record e : Cartographic material same
Bibliographic Level m  Monograph/Item same
Encoding Level _ : Full level same
Cataloging Form i : ISBD punctuation included a : AACR2

007 - Physical Description (a-Map)

Specific Material Designation

j : Map

 Default
Original vs Reproduction Aspect _ : (OBSOLETE) Undefinded  
Color a : One color Use other code as needed
Physical Medium a : Paper Use other code as needed
Type of Reproduction n : Not applicable Default
Production/Reproduction Detail z : Other Default
Positive/Negative Aspect n : Not applicable Default

008 - General Description (Map)

Publication Status Verify and correct if needed Usually code s : Single know date/probable date
Date 1/ Date 2 Must match the map in hand  Must correspond to 264 ‡c or 260 ‡c
Place of Publication Verify, must match the map in hand  Must correspond to 264 ‡a or 260 ‡a
Relief  Verify, add if needed Must correspond to 500 
Projection Verify, add if needed Must correspond to 255 ‡b 
Material Verify, add if needed Usually code a: Single map
Govt. Publication Verify, add if needed  
Index Verify, add if needed must correspond to 500 note
Language Verify, add if needed, and correct if needed  

Variable Fields

010 Accept if it is present   
020 Must match the map in hand  
034  Verify; add if there isn't one

There should always be ‡a a

If the scale information is available, ‡b (which must correspond to 255 ‡a) should also be present

If it lacks ‡d, ‡e, ‡f, ‡g, add the coordinates in decimal format, which must correspond to 255 ‡c (but rather in degrees-minutes-seconds format)
040  Verify, add if needed, and correct if needed Include ‡d CtY if you make any changes
041 Verify, add if needed, and correct if needed  Must correspond to 008 Language and 546
043 Accept if it is present   
050 Accept if it is present  YUL Map has its own map classification system; Exclude Gov. Doc. maps
052 Accept if it is present   
090 Verify Re-tag to 050_4 if there is not already 050; delete if there is already 050
1xx  Must match the map in hand Relationship designators (‡e) such as cartography or creator may be included
245  Must match the map in hand

Maps often have multiple titles and/or titles that can be read differently as long as one of the titles is recorded in the 245 and the others in the 246
246  Accept if it matches the map in hand  
250  Must match the map in hand  
255 ‡a  Must match the map in hand 

Scale is recorded as a ratio called a Representative Fraction

If there is scale information on the map, it should match here

Generally, there should be no more than two 255 fields in a record

If there is no scale information on the map, 255 ‡a should have one of these expressions: Scale not given, Not drawn to scale, Scale varies, or Scale differ 

If scale is calculated by measuring a scale bar, use the term "Scale approximately." For example, 255 ‡a Scale approximately 1:200,000

If a verbal scale statement is printed on the map, record it as well. For example, 255 ‡a Scale 1:200,000. 2 in. = 1 mile
255 ‡b  Must match the map in hand   Must correspond to 008 Projection
255 ‡c   

Use Degrees-minutes-seconds format
264 Verify and correct if needed
300 Verify, add if needed, and correct if needed

A map sheet may have one main map or multiple main maps.  For example,

  • ‡a 1 map : ‡b color ; ‡c 50 x 25 cm
  • ‡a 2 maps on 1 sheet : ‡b color ; ‡c each 50 x 25 cm, sheet 110 x 60 cm
  • ‡a 2 maps on 1 sheet : ‡b both sides, color ; ‡c 50 x 25 cm, and 60 x 30, sheet 65 x 35 cm

A main map can also be printed on both sides of the sheet or on multiple sheets.

  • ‡a 1 map : ‡b both sides, color  ; ‡c 100 x 50 cm, on sheet 52 x 55 cm, folded to 24 x 12 cm
  • ‡a 1 map on 2 sheets : ‡b color

If there are three or more main maps of different sizes (or they’re
on different-sized sheets), record the largest main map size and use the term "or smaller"

Measure map within neat line, usually to the outer edge of gradicule if one is present

There are other types of maps that may be recorded in 300 $a aside from "map,"  such as:

  • ‡a 1 profile
  • ‡a 1 section
  • ‡a 1 view
336 Accept; add if it is not present ‡a cartographic image ‡b cri ‡2 rdacontent
337 accept; add if it is not present ‡a unmediated ‡b n ‡2 rdamedia
338 Accept; add if it is not present

‡a sheet ‡b nb ‡2 rdacarrier

‡a volume ‡b nc ‡2 rdacarrier (for atlas)
4xx/8xx Accept  
5xx Verify and accept all applicable notes, and if it is applicable
  • Add if the following notes are applicable and are not on the record:
  • 500 ‡a Relief shown by ...
  • 500 ‡a Title from ... (if the title isn't from the main map
  • 500 ‡a <Any unique numeric or alphanumeric codes>

If there are notes about accompanying materials, verify to make sure the accompanying material is present
546 Verify and add if it is applicable Must correspond to 041
600/610/650/651 Accept any of these fields with the second indicator "0," and deleting the others.  ‡v Maps must be included as the final element
655 Accept if  655_7 ‡2 lcgft  
7xx Accept and add if needed  
730 Accept  
740 Accept  
752 Add, per local policy

Take information from the Place of Publisher in the $300 ‡a <first level jurisdiction> ‡b <second level jurisdication>.

300 ‡a Paris

752 ‡a France ‡b Paris.

Comments to: Tachtorn Meier

Last modified: 
Thursday, January 26, 2023 - 3:20pm