RDA 3.19.1.4. Digital File Characteristics in notes
The file characteristics that are BSR mandatory under 3.19, and that may apply to direct access electronic resources: 3.19 in general (for cartographic resources); 3.19.8 digital representation of cartographic resources (use either 300, 347, or 352).
For other types of content on CD-ROMs, etc., apply the principle of "considered to be important for identification or access" to: file type, encoding format, and file size (the other characteristics would not ordinarily apply to direct access electronic carriers).
Field 516 (Type of File or Data note) is probably a better location for digital file characteristics than field 300. The field can accommodate content information as well. Use first indicator blank as the default indicator. (First indicator blank will generate the label Type of file: in some OPACs).
| 516 | ‡a Electronic data (2 files : 800, 1250 records) and programs (3 files : 7260, 3490, 5076 bytes). | ||
| 516 | ‡a ISO 9660 format. | ||
| 516 | ‡a Files are OECD-compressed ASCII databases. | ||
| 516 | ‡a Electronic data (2 files : 800, 1250 records) and programs (3 files : 7260, 3490, 5076 bytes). | ||
| 516 | ‡a Disk characteristics: double sided, high density, soft sectored. | ||
| 516 | ‡a Numeric (Spatial data: Point). | ||
| 516 | ‡a Text (Law reports and digests). |
RDA 3.20.1. System Details (538) [AACR2 9.7B1]. MANDATORY if applicable.
a. System Requirements. 538 is repeatable, so if the system runs on both PC and MAC, record the system requirements in separate 538 fields if necessary. The 538 note always begins with "System Requirements." The text is not machine-supplied, as is the case with other notes. The information is recorded "if readily available." The type of information required is given, and should be listed in the order following:
- make and model of the computer needed to run the resource
- amount of memory required
- name of operating system
- software requirements (including programming language)
- any required or recommended peripherals
- required or recommended hardware modifications
See also policy on field 753 below.
538 field examples:
Orbis 6202781 (Comprehensive radiographic pathology). Multiple 538 fields for the same resource.
| 538 | ‡a System requirements for Windows: Internet Explorer, version 5 (or later) or Netscape version 4.79 (or later); Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 (or later); 800 x 600 pixels screen resolution; 16-bit color (65,000 colors); 64 MB RAM; Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME, or YX operating system. | ||
| 538 | ‡a System requirements for the Mac: Internet Explorer, version 5 (or later) or Netscape version 4.79 (or later); Adobe Acrobat Reader 4 (or later); 800 x 600 pixels screen resolution; 16-bit color (65,000 colors); 64 MB RAM; MAC OS 8.1 (or later), or OS X operating system. |
Orbis 4417476 (Patchwork girl). Multiple 538 fields for the same resource.
| 538 | ‡a System requirements for Windows: 486, Celeron, Pentium, or faster processor; Windows 3.1, 95, 98, NT, or later. | ||
| 538 | ‡a System requirements for Macintosh: Mac OS 6.07 or later. | ||
| 538 | ‡a System requirements for electronic manual: Adobe acrobat or Adobe acrobat reader. |
Programming language is recorded in 538, not in 546.
A 538 note is not mandatory if no information about system requirements is readily available.
Orbis 4358519 (Schillers Werke (Nationalausgabe) auf CD-ROM; no information available about system requirements). No 538 necessary. (Original AACR2 record had: System requirements: CD-ROM drive).
RDA 7.2 (Nature of Content) 7.10.1.3 (Summarization of Content)
LCCN 91655114
| 520 | ‡a Contains demographic, economic, and governmental data from both the federal government and private agencies, presented for the purpose of multi-area comparisons or single area profiles. Current estimates and benchmark census results are included. |
LCCN 98678153 (cataloged as cartographic material)
| 520 | ‡a A reference tool that contains a world atlas, almanac, and world fact book, all in one. Graphics include over 200 full-color maps, thematic world maps, relief maps, and reference maps, complemented with comprehensive text on five subject areas: geography, people, government, economy, and communications. Features drop-down menus, point-and-click interfaces, and full index. |
LCCN 2001360713
| 520 | ‡a Collection of Indonesian tax laws and regulations. |
LCCN 2001561457
| 520 | ‡a An indexed collection of references to 4.8 million birth, christening, marriage, and death records from New South Wales (1788-1888), Tasmania (1803-1899), Victoria (1837-1888), and Western Australia (1841-1905). |
LCCN 2002556235
| 520 | ‡a Contains magnetotelluric (MT) and audiomagnetotelluric (AMT) data collected in Alaska between 1985 and 1992. The data from over 500 soundings was collected with computer systems that are now obsolete. Data collected in 23 Alaskan 1:250,000-scale sheets (quadrangles). |
Additional note examples. See also: LCCN 94790355; LCCN 96801355; LCCN 98645082; LCCN sn 91022863; LCCN 98803082; LCCN 00530226; LCCN 2001561445; LCCN 2002565723; LCCN 2003556207; LCCN 2003557035; LCCN 2004564574.
RDA 27.1.1.3. Recording Relations to Related Manifestations justifies accompanying material notes.* Recall that accompanying material for serials is generally recorded in notes rather in 300 ‡e, unless it is certain the accompanying material comes with each issue. Per CCM 30.14.7, record notes about search and retrieval software in 500, but use 556 to record documentation information. (556 seems appropriate also for monographic titles requiring detailed notes about accompanying documentation.)
CCM example from 30.14.7
| 500 | ‡a Accompanied by installation software on 1 5 1/4 in. floppy disk. |
| 556 | 8 | ‡a Accompanied by: SPIRS user's manual, tutorial on 1 3 1/2 in. floppy disk, and quick reference cards . |
*RDA maps 27.1.1.3 to MARC 777 and 501. Continue to follow CONSER practice; re-visit when section 30 of the CONSER Cataloging Manual has had its RDA revision.