5. 300 $a (Sound Recordings, RDA)

300 ‡a. Extent

RDA 3.4.1.3. allows use of either an authorized term from the list at 3.3.1.3, or, as an alternative, a term in common usage.  LC-PCC PS 3.4.1.3: "PCC practice: Catalogers may use a term in common usage. If the alternative is used because the carrier type is not found at 3.3.1.3, notify the chair of the PCC Standing Committee on Standards of the need for a new term." [Note that the second sentence applies to new audio carrier types not represented by an authorized term in 3.3.1.3, not to common usage terms corresponding to the existing authorized terms]  YUL original cataloging generally prefers a term in common usage if such exists; YUL copy cataloging: accept copy as found.

Advantages of common usage. a. Easier for the non-cataloger to understand b. "audio disc" is a general term that can represent compact discs or LPs; to resolve the ambiguity the common practice was to make a 500 note Compact disc. Some catalogers would also include CD audio in ‡b for clarification. Since the authorized term is mandatory in 338 anyway (and uses the controlled term CD audio in 347 ‡h), cataloging-for-the-ages can afford to make a small accommodation for the user in the extent.

CAUTION: RDA 3.3.1.3 basically uses the same terms found in AACR2 6.5B1, but substitutes "audio" for "sound" in all cases, along with some differences in phrasing.

For other audio carriers, use the standard RDA term from 3.3.1.3. A list, with the carrier codes, can also be found in MARC documentation.

EXAMPLE:

Duration (7.22.1.3)

Duration is a core element for LC PCC PS. Per RDA 7.22.1.4,

a. Record the total playing time if it is stated on the resource.

b. If the total playing time is not stated on the resource but is readily ascertainable, record it.

If the total playing time is not stated, the total duration may be given by adding up the partial durations, rounding up to the next minute. For example, if the work is on two discs, with disc 1 having stated duration 1 hr., 20 min. and disc 2 having stated duration 1 hr., 30 min., record the duration as 2 hrs., 50 min.

 c. If the total playing time is not stated or readily ascertainable, record an approximate time preceded by approximately. [In LCRI 6.5B2, approximate time was not recorded, but the LCRI was not carried over into the LC PCC PS]

Record the duration as stated on the item, using abbreviations. If the resource states 1 hour:20 minutes, record the duration as 1 hr., 20 min. If the resource states 80 minutes, record the duration as 80 min.

Or in this example, where the duration has been stated in decimal form; the same form is used when qualifying the designation.

LC practice for recording durations of music collections is more complex & is not covered here.