Preferred source of information (RDA 2.1.2.2-3 and 2.2)

Music Cataloging at Yale ♪ RDA

Note: this page was created with music cataloging in mind.

(2.1.2.2) Choosing a source of information for resources issued as a single unit
If the resource Then choose a source of information that
is issued as a single unit identifies the resource as a whole
embodies multiple works has a collective title
If the resource Then
no source of information identifying the resource as a whole
but
one source has a title identifying a main or predominant work or content		 consider that source to identify the resource as a whole
no source of information identifying the resource as a whole
and
no source has a title identifying a main or predominant work or content		 treat the sources of information identifying its individual contents as a collective source of information for the resource as a whole.
(2.1.2.3) Choosing a source of information for resources issued in more than one part
Choose one of the following, as appropriate, as the basis for identifying the resource as a whole:
If the resource Then choose a source of information that
a: is issued as a set that is unnumbered
or
the numbering does not help to establish an order		 identifies the resource as a whole
   ° prefer a source that has a collective title
b: has sequentially numbered issues or parts identifies the lowest numbered issue or part available
c: has unnumbered issues or parts
or
has numbering that does not help to establish an order		 identifies the issue or part with the earliest date of issue
If the resource Then
d: has no source of information identifying the resource as a whole
but
one source has a title identifying a main or predominant work or content		 consider that source to identify the resource as a whole
e: has no source of information identifying the resource as a whole
and
has no source has a title identifying a main or predominant work or content		 treat the sources identifying the individual parts as a collective source of information for the resource as a whole.
If the identification of a resource with ordered parts is not based on the first issue or part, make a note identifying the issue or part used as the basis for identification of the resource.
Music instructions from Best practices for music cataloging:

Scores issued with parts: Generally apply 2.1.2.3 a) and treat the score (along with a cover* or wrapper if present) as a source of information identifying the resource as a whole.

  • *Cover is not defined in RDA; nor was it defined in AACR2. Richard Smiraglia described it in Cataloging Sheet Music : Guidelines for Use with AACR2 as "a wrapper made of material different from that used throughout the rest of the publication. Covers may be made of vellum, paper, fabric, plastic, etc. A paper page is a wrapper if any of the following differ from the score itself: color, texture, thickness, or type. Covers may or may not feature elaborate lettering or illustrations. Despite the popular usage of this term among collectors, most sheet music does not have covers but rather decorative or illustrated title pages." The term "wrapper" is also not defined in RDA.

    Best practices for music cataloging includes the following instruction on determining covers as a source of information:
         ° Use cataloger's judgment in determining whether or not the resource has a cover.
         ° Generally consider a cover to be made of substantially different material (e.g., heavier or different colored paper) than the paper on which the music is printed.

Sets of parts with no score:

  • ° includes cover or wrapper: generally apply 2.1.2.3 a) and treat it as a source of information identifying the resource as a whole.
  • ° no cover or wrapper: apply 2.1.2.3 d) and select one of the parts as the main part
          » give preference to parts that would generally appear first in score order
  • ° Include a note on the source of title
Multi-part sound recordings:
Parts are: Title is: Apply:
numbered repeated on each part 2.1.2.3 a): choose a source of information identifying the lowest numbered issue or part available
not repeated on each part treat the individual parts as a collective source
not numbered repeated on each part 2.1.2.3 c): choose a source of information identifying the resource as a whole
not repeated on each part treat the individual parts as a collective source
Books or scores issued with audio/video carriers:
  • ° treat the book/score as the source of information identifying the resource as a whole (2.1.2.3 c) and apply 2.2.2.2 when
    • ° the audio/video carrier is affixed to the cover or endpapers of the book/score
  • ° treat the audio/video carrier as the source of information identifying the resource as a whole (2.1.2.3 d) and apply 2.2.2.3 or 2.2.2.4 when:
    • ° the book/score and audio/video carrier are housed in a single container, such as a box containing a CD jewel case and a book)
    • ° the book/score is inserted into the container, such as a booklet in a jewel case)
    • ° the book/score is the same size as the audio/video carrier
(2.2.2.1) Choosing a preferred source of information: basic guidelines:
° Treat the storage medium (e.g., paper, tape, etc.) and any housing (e.g., cassette) that is an integral part of the resource as a part of the resource itself.
° Treat accompanying material as part of the resource
° Treat a container such as a box in which a game or kit is issued as part of the resource itself.
(2.2.2.2) Preferred source of information for scores: Resources consisting of one or more pages, leaves, sheets, or cards (or images of them). This includes books and scores and PDF and microform reproductions of them.

(2.2.2.4) Preferred source of information for sound recordings: Other resources (not covered under 2.2.2.2 or 2.2.2.3 (moving images)).
Best practices for music cataloging: This rule applies to all audio carriers.
Preferred source of information is the title page.
For resources lacking a title page, use the following sources, given in order of preference:
  • ° cover
  • ° caption
  • ° masthead*
  • ° colophon
  • ° another source on the resource
    • » give preference to sources in which the information is formally presented

*a statement printed in a fixed position in each edition or issue of a newspaper, magazine, etc., giving the publication's name, the names of the owner and staff, contact information, etc.

 Preferred source of information is either:
  • ° label bearing a title that is permanently printed on or affixed to the resource
    • » this excludes accompanying material or a contain
  • or
  • ° embedded metadata in textual form that contains a title, such as metadata embedded in a MP3 audio file
  • ° another source on the resource
    • » give preference to sources in which the information is formally presented
(2.2.3) What to do when there's more than one preferred source of information
When there is more than one source that qualifies as the preferred source of information, use the first occurring of those sources except under these conditions:
The resource: Apply
(2.2.3.1) contains preferred sources of information in more than one language or script: use as the preferred source of information, in order of preference:
   ° the source in the same or predominant language or script of the content of the resource
   ° the source in the translated language or script when the translation is the purpose of the resource
   ° the source in the original language or script on the content, when the original language or script is known
   ° the first occurring of the sources
(2.2.3.2) contains preferred sources of information bearing different dates: use as the preferred source of information, in order of preference:
   ° the source bearing the later or latest date
(2.2.3.3) is a facsimile or reproduction of the original and it includes a preferred source for the both the facsimile or reproduction and the original: use the preferred source of information for the facsimile or reproduction
(2.2.4) What to do when identifying information doesn't appear on the resource
Use the source of information, in order of preference:
  • ° accompanying material
  • ° a container not issued as part of the resource
  • ° published descriptions of the resource
  • ° any other available source (e.g., a reference source)

When information supplied for any of the elements below is taken from a source outside the resource itself, indicate it in a note or enclose the information in square brackets:

  • ° title: title proper, parallel title proper, other title information, parallel other title information
    ° statement of responsibility: statement of responsibility (and parallel statement of responsibility) relating to title proper
    ° edition statement: designation (and parallel designation) of edition or of a named revision of an edition; statement of responsibility (and parallel statement) relating to the edition or to a named revision of an edition
    ° numbering of serials: (see 2.2.4 for list)
    ° production, publication, or distribution statements: place (and parallel place) of production, publication, or distribution; name (and parallel) name of producer, publisher, or manufacturer; date of production, publication, or distribution
    ° series statement: title proper (and parallel title proper) of series and subseries; other title information (and parallel other title information) of series and subseries; statement of responsibility (and parallel statement) relating to series and subseries; numbering within series and subseries

    LC practice/PCC practice: Use square brackets if information taken from a source outside a resource itself is supplied in any of the elements listed. However, apply the exception in this instruction if the resource is of a type that does not normally carry identifying information.