Arts of the Book Collection (Haas Arts Library) Catalog Processing Notes

1. Scope.​ This special collection documents the arts that are used in the creation of the book. From original examples to works of art in the book format (Artists’ books), the collection is the largest component of Arts Library Special Collections.
2. Treatment of physical items.​ Items may be fragile and valuable. Handle with care and don’t leave them exposed to damage. Make sure your hands are clean when handling and keep items well away from liquids or other things that may spill. If a barcode label is on a strip or envelope, do not transfer it to the front cover or anywhere else on an item.
3. In process records. ​When working with cataloging copy, review for correct application of rules or finding possible errors, e.g. an added entry that duplicates the main entry, a subject heading for the book artist who created an artists' book, etc. Never assume that the subjects are LCSH or that the headings are the established forms or represent the entity associated with the resource. Local Yale notes in 590 and subject tracings in 69X should always be retained but may be edited for clarity. Add local notes for AOB copies if needed. Art acquisitions staff may have added vendor notes or other information to downloaded copy, which may need to be phrased more objectively or edited in other ways.
4. Autograph. If book is autographed by the artist, add a 692 14 <name of artist>.
5. 590: record copy numbers (copy x of y copies) as well as presence of autograph. 590 made for the Fritz Kredel Collection ("From the library of Fritz Kredel"). Colophon a good source for notes.
6. For fine press, paper & font are not noted.
7. Papermakers are not noted unless they actively collaborate in the creation of the book.
8. 650 -0 ‡a Artists' books ‡v Specimens. Use this heading for actual specimens of artists' books. Do not add geographic subdivision. Works about artists' books are entered under 650 -0 ‡a Artists' books with geographic subdivision when appropriate.
9. 655 -7 Genre/form terms from LCGFT, AAT and other vocabularies can be added when appropriate. Record the source of the term in ‡2. MARC 655 cannot be subdivided geographically.
10. Shipping.​ AOB items bypass Preparations. ALSC will notify the AOB materials cataloger when a tote is ready for delivery to the TS-344 Shipping Room. Notify ALSC when the tote has been received. The same tote will later be used to return the items. When ready to return a tote to ALSC, carefully pack the items, using enough filler to make sure the fragile items don’t move around. Use plastic, numbered seal ties provided by ALSC to lock the top flaps closed. Contact Samara, providing tote and seal tie numbers, and ask her to schedule the transfer of tote from TS-344 Shipping Room to ALSC.
11. RDA, DCRM, etc. ​Follow RDA/LC PCC PS for original cataloging description and access. Cataloging copy from OCLC using DCRM is accepted. Member copy cataloging under AACR2 or pre-AACR2 rules is accepted as is if it is adequate. If recataloging is necessary for inadequate copy, recatalog to RDA. Under current OCLC guidelines, catalogers have the option to update any non-RDA record to RDA. Add 590 local notes and 69X local subject access points when needed.
12. Vendor, publisher, and creator descriptions.​ Nothing is more useful when cataloging artists' books and other art works than a description of the item by a vendor, publisher or artist. If none have been provided, search online to see if the information is available. If vendor notes are used, be sure to take out the advertising elements. Descriptions provided by ALSC should be included when returning items.
13. Corporate and personal name NARs & RDA.​ Cataloging AOB materials may involve extensive use and assignment of personal and corporate name authorities, e.g. publishers, printers, binders.
14. Classification is always LCC.
15. Outsourcing to CJK or other non-Latin script cataloging​. These items should be distributed to catalogers with language expertise for cataloging. Ask the catalogers to return items to you so you can include them when the tote of cataloged items is shipped back to ALSC.

(Created September 2020; updated August 2021)