| Minimal Level Cataloging (LTS Procedure #22) Scope: The procedure applies to books only. Do not use this procedure to process non-book materials. Minimal-level cataloging (MLC) is an abbreviated form of cataloging that reflects limited bibliographic description, subject analysis and (in most cases) authority work. Materials eligible for MLC include low-need and/or low research value titles. Contacts: David Banush, Lois Peret Purcell Unit: Cataloging Date last updated: 02/24/06 Date of next review: September 2006
Eligibility for MLC Exclusions from MLC Interpreting the Minimal Level Standards InputtingGuidelines for LC Call Numbers Guidelines for Headings, Including Series Guidelines for Uncontrolled Subject Terms (653s) Guidelines for Added Entries LTS Statistics Code
PolicyThis procedure is based upon the Library of Congress' "Minimal Level Cataloging, Monographs, Basic Procedures (CSB 42); "Guidelines for Applying Field 653 to MLC Records" (CSB 50); and MARC 21 Bibliographic Format, Appendix A, "National Level Record and Minimal Level Record Requirements," as modified for use in LTS. Along with PCC (core or full), non-PCC full, or collection-level cataloging, minimal level cataloging is one of the options for catalogers providing bibliographic control to library materials. Catalogers may use minimal-level cataloging for materials that, in their best judgment, warrant that treatment. It is important to remember that in using MLC, catalogers should seek a sound balance between the need for timely access to the material, the probable research value of the item, and selectors' input. It is not necessary for selectors to approve every decision to use MLC. However, catalogers should consult with selectors generally about the kinds of materials that are high priorities in order to have a clear sense of when MLC might be appropriate for a given item or class of items. This document should be used in conjunction with selectors' input as the basis for making judgments regarding the use of MLC. Eligibility for MLCLow-need and/or low research value titles: For the purposes outlined here, an item has research value if it presents primary documentation that is otherwise unavailable, interprets a field in the context of current concepts, presents the point of view of prominent or influential practitioners of a discipline, or organizes existing literature in a field into coherent bibliographies. Low-need and/or low research value titles are items that meet thedefinition of research value, but fall outside the definition of amajor or substantial publication. Items that do not have research valueas defined above should be considered candidates for MLC and may alsobe returned to selectors for possible deselection. The number and varieties of low-need/low-research value items will vary from collection to collection, but may include materials such as children's books, certain state, provincial and local government documents, privately printed works, works on applied arts and crafts, and popularizations in all subject areas that have no useable copy. Exclusions from MLCThe following types of materials should always be excluded from MLC:
Definitions The source of these definitions is the Library of Congress Cataloging Service Bulletin, no. 84 (Spring 1999), pp. 27-32. CSB 84 is also the source of the definition of research value provided in section III. Major publications are definitive works, or a presentation of extensive, new materials, or a significant revision or reassessment of a subject or field. A substantial publication of topical interest is an item that refers to contemporary topics, provides current information relevant to contemporary topics, or provides current information on long-established topics (e.g., the Dead Sea Scrolls) that are of contemporary import and interest and is likely to be used for research purposes by a specialist. Substantial publications are those likely to be used for research purposes by a specialist and that do not meet the definition of either a major publication or a substantial publication of topical interest. Interpreting the Minimal Level StandardsIt will help you to apply this procedure if you understand the vocabulary used in MARC 21 Bibliographic Formatto define the field and subfield level requirements for minimal levelrecords. MARC 21 uses three levels to differentiate between dataelements (1) that must always be present, (2) that should be present ifthe information is available, and (3) that are optional. The levels are: Mandatory: A data element that must be present in every record, such as the title (245) field. Mandatory if applicable: A data element that should be presentin a record if it is available and if it is appropriate for the item inhand. An example would be an edition statement (250). Optional: A data element that does not need to be present in anyrecord, but that may be present if local library policy calls for it orif the cataloger deems it essential for the item in hand. InputtingModify the in-process record in Voyager to bring it up to the LTS minimal level standard, as defined in this procedure. For the most part, retain data elements that arealready present in the record you are modifying unless they are clearly in error.
All other fixed field positions are optional at minimal level. Leave the default code in all other fixed field positions. Use the following table to determine what data elements should appear in the record. All other MARC variable fields are optionalfor minimal level records defined by this procedure. If other fieldsappear in the Voyager in-process record, use judgment to determinewhether to revise or delete such fields. The guiding principles arethese:
Guidelines for LC Call NumbersClassify items according to the LC classification schedules, unless one or moreof the exceptional cases listed in LTS Procedure 11, "Shelflisting," apply. Usethe schedules on the Catalogers Desktop if available. Add the call number tothe bib record in the 050 field, 1st indicator blank, and 2nd indicator 4 (050:4:). If you find an actual LC cutter for an individual literary author, artist, geographic area, or subject, use it. Otherwise construct a cutter using Library of Congress practice for cuttering, as described in the LC Shelflisting Manual, available on Cataloger's Desktop. If the item is in a series, check Voyager for a monographic series standing order record for the series and check holdings for call number. If there is none, look for predominantly used call number for that series in Voyager. If not found, transcribe the series statement as it appears on the item and code it 440, as instructed in next section. Guidelines for Headings, Including SeriesHeadings should be consistent with the heading structure of the Voyager catalog. Note, it is not necessary for every MLC heading to be represented by an authority record in the national file. Accomplish this as follows:
Guidelines for Uncontrolled Subject Terms (653s)Add English words, translated generally from the title, to itemswritten in foreign languages and to English-language books with titlesthat do not reflect their subjects. For example, the English title The high road and the low road, which is about bookmobiles, does not reflect the subject of the work, so you would assign a 653 field. However, do not apply these instructions to works of the imagination (novels, stories, poetry, plays). Do not alter previously assigned 653 fields in existing Voyager records. If you use a subject phrase, keep it brief. Capitalize the first wordof each 653 field. Both indicators should be blank. Do not end thefield with punctuation unless punctuation is part of the data. Whenselecting subject words, follow these guidelines:
Guidelines for Added EntriesYou may assign added entries (7xx fields) if failure to do so would seriously impair access to the item. If necessary, assign up to two7xx fields to cover the primary relationships associated with an item(e.g. an editor's name, the corporate sponsor of a symposium) or tobring out title access information judged to be important. LTS Statistics Code for Minimal Level RecordsAdd a 948 field for statistics tracking. Use first indicator 1 for cataloging transaction and subfield b o for original cataloging. Minimal level cataloging statistics are defined by the o (original cataloging) from the 948 field and 7 from the encoding level field of the Leader.Minimum level - items in all formats flagged by selectors or catalogers for less than core-level cataloging. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
