Bibliographic Processing Cataloging Rules
Introduction | Fixed Fields | Call Number and Item | 010 | 020 | 041 | 245 | 246 | 250 | 260 | 264 | 300 | 336 | 337 | 338 | 340 | 4XX/8XX Series | 5XX | Choice of Entry | X00 | X10 | 740 || Monographs Team Documentation | Record Creation | BPCR Home
The physical description statement (collation) describes the physical characteristics of an item and includes the following elements:
The entire publication is the source of information for this field. Supplied information (i.e., unnumbered pages that have been counted) is bracketed.
The indicators for 300 are undefined.
The subfields for 300 are:
|a Extent of item (non-repeatable)
|b Other physical details (non-repeatable)
|c Dimensions (non-repeatable)
|e Accompanying material (non-repeatable)
The prescribed order of information in the 300 field is:
300 [|a]extent of item :|bother physical details ;|cdimensions +|eaccompanying material.
Give the number of pages, leaves, columns, etc. in terms of the numbered or lettered sequences in the volume.
Give the last numbered page, leaf, column, etc. in each numbering sequence and follow it with the appropriate term.
When adding data, do not use abbreviations no matter what the Descriptive Cataloging form of the record may be: RDA, AACR2, pre-AACR2, etc.
Note: A sequence of pages or leaves is: (1) a separately numbered group of pages, leaves, etc.: (2) an unnumbered group of pages, etc., that stands apart from other groups in the publication; or (3) a number of pages or leaves of plates distributed throughout the publication.
RDA
The MARC 300 field includes RDA elements for Extent (|a) and Dimensions (|c), and other elements that give information about the content of the expression (|b). Abbreviations other than those for duration and dimensions are not allowed in RDA.
For the extent (300|a), RDA allows diverse terms to be used, notably for non-book items. For books, the 300|a under RDA will generally resemble the 300|a under AACR2, with the notable exception of abbreviations being spelled out.
300 356 pages -- [RDA]
300 356 p. -- [AACR2]
300 64 leaves
Separate numbering sequences with " , ^ "
300 ii, 214 pages -- [RDA]
300 ii, 214 p. -- [AACR2]
Give pages that are lettered inclusively in the form:
300 A-K pages -- [RDA]
300 A-K p. -- [AACR2]
Many items contain preliminary paging which is often numbered in roman numerals and is a separate numbering sequence from the main text. Record preliminary paging in the numbering style represented in the item. If Roman numerals are used, record these in lower case. Do not account for unnumbered pages between preliminary paging and the main text.
300 iv, 185 pages -- [RDA]
300 iv, 185 p. -- [AACR2]
Do not account for unnumbered pages which are only accounted for with numbers in the table of contents.
Introduction iv
Chapter 1 1
Chapter 2 24
Plates are often printed on a different paper than the rest of the book and are sometimes not included in the main numbering sequence. They usually contain illustrative matter, with or without text. The plates can be either numbered or unnumbered and they can all appear together, or they can be scattered throughout the item. Whether they are referred to as pages or leaves depends on whether they are printed on both sides of the page or not.
Plates printed on one side only -- leaves of plates
Plates printed on both sides -- pages of plates
When pages or leaves of plates are numbered separately from the main paging, give the number of pages or leaves of plates after the main paging sequence.
300 319 pages, 8 pages of plates -- [RDA]
300 319 p., 8 p. of plates -- [AACR2]
Do not count unnumbered pages or leaves of plates.
Full level exception: If pages have been counted in copy, follow copy and include the fuller form of 300|a. The correct form for supplied pagination in AACR2 records is: pagination given in a single bracketed statement at the end of 300|a. This applies whether the pages or leaves of plates occur in a single sequence, multiple sequences or as a single plate. The number is enclosed in square brackets because it is supplied information. When plates are printed on both sides but a group has an odd number of pages with a blank page at the end, the odd number is given (e.g., 11 pages of plates - RDA or 11 p. of plates - AACR2). For RDA records, follow the unbracketed number of pages or leaves with the word "unnumbered".
Item consists of 243 numbered pages of text and 2 groups of 4 unnumbered plates, printed on both sides.
300 243 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates -- [RDA]
300 243 p., [16] p. of plates -- [AACR2]
Item consists of 22 numbered pages of text and 2 unnumbered leaves of plates.
300 22 pages, 2 unnumbered leaves of plates -- [RDA]
300 22 p., [2] leaves of plates -- [AACR2]
Describe folded leaves as such. When only some are folded, add "(some folded)" to the description.
300 122 folded leaves
300 xvi, 249 pages, 12 folded pages of plates -- [RDA]
300 xvi, 249 p., 12 folded p. of plates -- [AACR2]
300 235 pages, 25 leaves of plates (some folded) -- [RDA]
300 235 p., 25 leaves of plates (some folded) -- [AACR2]
When folded leaves are numbered consecutively with the main pagination, give a 500 note to describe the situation.
Item has six groupings of plates in six different areas. All of the plates are numbered with the text.
300 112 pages :|billustrations ;|c24 cm. -- [RDA]
300 112 p. :|bill. ;|c24 cm. -- [AACR2]
500 Six groups of plates on folded leaves.
Item has one group of 12 plates which are numbered with the text.
300 246 pages :|billustrations ;|c26 cm -- [RDA]
300 246 p. :|bill. ;|c26 cm. -- [AACR2]
500 12 plates on folded leaves.
If the item has complicated or irregular paging (i.e., ii, A12, B39, C6 p., or, i, iv, xv, 3, 156 p.), describe it as:
1 volume (various pagings) -- [RDA]
1 v. (various pagings) -- [AACR2]
If the item has groups of pages numbered in opposite directions, as is sometimes the case with books having texts in two languages, which would also require a 546 language note, give the pagings of the various sections in order, starting from the title page selected for the 245|a.
300 ix, 155, 127, x pages -- [RDA]
300 ix, 155, 127, x p. -- [AACR2]
500 Two works bound together back-to-back and inverted, with separate title pages.
300 v, 212, 212, v pages -- [RDA]
300 v, 212, 212, v p. -- [AACR2]
546 Text in English and Russian.
If the paging in the item is duplicated, as is sometimes the case with books having parallel texts, give both pagings and make 500 note as illustrated in the example below.
300 xii, 35, 35 pages -- [RDA]
300 xii, 35, 35 p. -- [AACR2]
500 Opposite pages bear duplicate numbering.
When the pages are numbered as part of a larger sequence as is the case with some reprint material, give the first and last numbers of the sequence.
300 pages 713-797 -- [RDA]
300 p. 713-797 -- [AACR2]
When the volume has pagination of its own and that of the larger work of which it is a part, give the paging of the individual volume in 300 and give the continuous paging in a 500 note as illustrated in the example below.
300 328 pages -- [RDA]
300 328 p. -- [AACR2]
500 Pages also numbered 501-828.
If the number printed on the last page or leaf of a sequence does not represent the total number of pages or leaves in that sequence, let it stand uncorrected unless it gives a completely false impression of the extent of the item., as, for instance, when only alternate pages are numbered, or when the number on the last page is misprinted. Supply corrections in such cases in square brackets preceded by "i.e.".
Item is paged on alternate pages:
300 48, that is, 96 pages -- [RDA]
300 48 [i.e. 96] p. -- [AACR2]
Last page of item is misprinted
300 329, that is, 392 pages -- [RDA]
300 329 [i.e. 392] p. -- [AACR2]
Describe loose-leaf publications as:
1 volume (loose-leaf) -- [RDA]
1 v. (loose-leaf) -- [AACR2]
Describe the case or portfolio as such.
Item consists of 12 loose papers in a portfolio.
300 1 portfolio
Atlases: Geographical, nautical and astronomical atlases should always be referred to the Maps Team for cataloging.
Describe the item as:
1 sheet
Describe the item as "1 folded sheet" and give the number of imposed pages following this statement in parentheses.
1 folded sheet (8 pages) -- [RDA]
1 folded sheet (8 p.) -- [AACR2]
If the item is printed without pagination, describe it as:
1 volume (unpaged) -- [RDA]
1 v. (unpaged) -- [AACR2]
Format exception: Rare Books
If the publication was planned to be in more than one volume, but not all have been published, or not all are available for cataloging, enter "v." as 300 |a.
300 volumes -- [RDA]
300 v. -- [AACR2]
When all volumes of a multipart work have been received, or there is evidence that the set is complete in X volumes, give the total number of volumes in 300|a.
300 4 volumes -- [RDA]
300 4 v. -- [AACR2]
When there are greater or fewer bibliographic volumes than physical volumes in a closed set, give the number of bibliographic volumes followed by "in" and the number of physical volumes.
300 8 volumes in 5 -- [RDA]
300 8 v. in 5 -- [AACR2]
300 2 volumes in 1 -- [RDA]
300 2 v. in 1 -- [AACR2]
If a set of volumes is continuously paged, give the pagination in parenthesis after the number of volumes. Ignore separately paged sequences of preliminary matter in volumes other than the first.
Pages numbered xvi, 1-563; xx, 564-1043
300 2 volumes (xvi, 1043 pages) -- [RDA]
300 2 v. (xvi, 1043 p.) -- [AACR2]
Note that preliminary paging, other than for the first volume, is disregarded. Plates and unnumbered sections are also not separately identified.
Illustrative matter consists exclusively of the following:
charts
coats of arms
drawings
facsimiles
forms
graphs
genealogical tables
maps
music
pictures
plans
portraits
samples
Anything else (such as tables, etc.) is not considered illustrative matter and is not indicated in 300|b.
When the item contains illustrative matter, give illustration (when a single illustration is present) or illustrations as 300|b when it is missing from copy unless there are maps present. Accept copy that uses the abbreviation ill.
Item contains 6 photographs of the Colorado River Valley.
300 ... :|billustrations
300 ... :|bill. -- [may be present in AACR2 copy]
When maps are present with other types of illustrations, describe the item in |b as illustrations, maps.
Tables, etc., containing only words and/or numbers are not illustrations.
Illustrated title pages, vignettes and decorations are not considered illustrations.
Item contains 12 mathematical tables.
300 iv, 143 pages [|b is omitted] -- [RDA]
300 iv, 143 p. [|b is omitted] -- [AACR2]
If the illustrations are all of one type, or are of mixed types indicated above (excluding maps), describe them as "illustrations" in 300|b if missing from copy. Accept AACR2 copy that uses the abbreviation ill. If they are all maps, describe them in 300|b as "maps" or "map" as appropriate.
Illustrations are all portraits
300 ... :|billustrations
300 ... :|bill. -- [may be present in AACR2 copy]
Illustrations are all maps
300 ... :|bmaps
Illustrations are considered to be in color when they consist of one color in addition to the color of the type and the color of the paper (usually black and white).
RDA
Indicate if all, some or most of the illustrations are in color. Supply " color " preceding illustration statement, or "(some color)" or "(chiefly color)" following the illustration statement as appropriate.
AACR2
Indicate if all, some or most of the illustrations are in color. Supply " col. " preceding illustration statement, or "(some col.)" or "(chiefly col.)" following the illustration statement as appropriate.
Illustrations consist of equal number black and white drawings, paintings and color photos.
300 ... :|billustrations (some color) -- [RDA]
300 ... :|bill. (some col.) -- [AACR2]
Illustrations consist of two black and white drawings and many color photos.
300 ... :|billustrations (chiefly color) -- [RDA]
300 ... :|bill. (chiefly col.) -- [AACR2]
Illustrations consist entirely of color pictures.
300 ... :|bcolor illustrations -- [RDA]
300 ... :|bcol. ill. -- [AACR2]
Illustrations consist of black and white drawings and color maps.
300 ... :|billustrations, color maps -- [RDA]
300 ... :|bill., col. maps -- [AACR2]
RDA
When the item consists entirely of illustrations (with or without captions or introductory matter), describe it in 300|b as "all illustrations" If some or all of the illustrations are in color, add "color", "(some color)" or "(chiefly color)" as appropriate.
AACR2
When the item consists entirely of illustrations (with or without captions or introductory matter), describe it in 300|b as "all ill." If some or all of the illustrations are in color, add "col.", "(some col.)" or "(chiefly col.)" as appropriate.
Item consists of a title page, preface and 59 p. of color art work with one illustration in black and white.
300 ... :|ball illustrations (chiefly color) -- [RDA]
300 ... :|ball ill. (chiefly col.) -- [AACR2]
RDA
When the item consists mainly of illustrations but includes some text (i.e., chapter 1 describes the illustrative matter), describe the item in 300|b as " chiefly illustrations " adding "color", "(some color)" or "(chiefly color)" as appropriate.
AACR2
When the item consists mainly of illustrations but includes some text (i.e., chapter 1 describes the illustrative matter), describe the item in 300|b as " chiefly ill. " adding "col.", "(some col.)" or "(chiefly col.)" as appropriate.
Item consists of a title page, preface and introduction to each chapter describing a particular style of art followed by colored reproductions of famous art works.
300 ... :|bchiefly color illustrations -- [RDA]
300 ... :|bchiefly col. ill. -- [AACR2]
Omit 300 |b.
Give the height of the item in centimeters rounded up to the next whole centimeter (e.g., if an item measures 17.2 cm, give 18 cm.).
Measure the height of the binding if the item is bound. If the item is not bound, measure the height of the item itself.
RDA
Since "cm" is considered a symbol and not an abbreviation, follow the symbol with a full stop (i.e., period) only when it is the last element in the 300 and a 490 field is also in the record.
AACR2
Use "cm." as the standard abbreviation for centimeter and precede this abbreviation with a space.
When measuring an item, always round up (e.g., 32.1 cm. rounds up to 33 cm.).
| Category | Height | Width |
|---|---|---|
| Q (Quarto): | 33-42 cm. | 37-40 cm. |
| F (Folio): | 43 cm. and over | 41 cm. and over |
Add a space and the oversized designation Q or F as the last element of the call number for University Park locations when the size of the item falls into the oversize range.
| Tag | Ind. | Contents |
|---|---|---|
| 050 | 00 | PN1992.77.S73|bW54 1993 |
| 300 | xi, 433 p. :|bill. ;|c33 cm. | |
| 300 | xi, 433 pages :|billustrations ;|c33 cm -- [RDA] |
UP Call Number: PN1992.77.S73|bW54 1993 Q
CCL Call Number: PN1992.77.S73|bW54 1993
Exceptions:
- Do NOT add Q or F to call numbers for juvenile items in the Education & Behavioral Sciences Library.
- The Special Collections Library and Maps Library use the Branch Library sizing (see below)
- Note Procedural Change: As of 1/3/2012, cat as sep, class together call numbers WILL have Q or F added as appropriate
Oversize/Folio Item Info: All Oversize/Folio items in Pattee/Paterno, with the exception of Pattee M, N, and TR, should be assigned specific oversize/folio Home Locations. See the Home Location/Marking Description List page for a complete list. The Library should be UP-PAT. The Item type should be BOOK. Material does circulate.
Items requiring binding must be considered Oversized if they measure 1 cm. less than the standard Oversize or Folio measurements as the binding will add to their size (i.e., 32-42cm H, 36-40cm. W for Quarto and 42cm. and up H, 40 cm. and up W for Folio).
Sets with volumes of differing sizes that are cataloged on the same set record should be shelved together. Even if only one volume is considered Oversize or Folio, all volumes in that set should be marked with a Q or F as appropriate and put in the proper Oversize/Folio home location, with the exceptions noted above for Pattee M, N, and TR. All volumes should be shelved with the largest volume. For example, if a three volume set were to consist of one regular sized book, one oversized book, and one folio book, all of them should have an "F" added to the call number and be placed in the appropriate folio home location.
An item is oversized when it measures 31 cm. or more in height or width. When measuring an item, always round up (e.g., 30.1 cm. rounds up to 31 cm.). See below for exceptions.
Q (Quarto): 31-41 cm.
F (Folio): 42 cm. and over
Items requiring binding should have Q or F added to the call numbers if they are 30-41 cm. (Q) or 41 cm. and over (F).
Exception:
- Do NOT add Q or F to Cat as sep, class together call numbers.
For all Pattee Map Collection locations, assign F to any item 36 cm. and over in width. Rules for height are the same for all locations.
Oversized measurements are 29-41 cm. due to compact shelving size, or 28-41 cm. for paperback items requiring binding.
DO NOT USE the oversize symbols for CCL locations with the exception of Fayette N... class call numbers.
When the width is less than half the height or greater than the height, give the dimensions as "height x width".
300 ... ;|c20 x 8 cm.
300 ... ;|c17 x 32 cm.
RDA
If the item measures less than 10 cm, give the height in millimeters. Since "mm" is considered a symbol, follow it with a full stop (i.e., period) only when it is the last element in the 300 and a 490 field is also in the record.
AACR2
If the item measures less than 10 cm, give the height in millimeters. Use "mm." as the standard abbreviation for millimeters.
Item measures 8 cm.
300 ... ;|c80 mm. -- [For RDA records, the period would only be present if a 490 was in the record.]
If the volumes in a multipart item differ in size, give the smaller and the larger size, separated by a hyphen.
300 ... ;|c24-30 cm.
Give the height and width of a single sheet. If the sheet is designed to be folded, add the dimensions of the sheet when folded.
300 1 sheet ;|c20 x 32 cm.
300 1 sheet ;|c48 x 30 cm folded to 24 x 15 cm. -- [RDA when 490 is present]
Give the height of the sheet when folded.
300 1 folded sheet (4 pages) ;|c18 cm -- [RDA]
300 1 folded sheet (4 p.) ;|c18 cm. -- [AACR2]
When accompanying material meets the criteria for inclusion in the 300 field, record it as instructed below.
NOTE: Add fields 336, 337 and 338 for accompanying material in different formats. Use subfield 3 to identify the accompanying material. See BPCR 336, 337 and 338 for complete information.
Record the number of physical units in Arabic numerals.
Give a generic name for the type of accompanying material (using, a specific material designation when appropriate) in English.
Item consists of a textbook with accompanying solutions manual.
300 ... +|e1 solutions manual.
Item consists of a book and accompanying maps.
300 ... +|e3 maps.
When more detail is required, give the physical description (e.g., extent of item, other physical details and dimensions) of the item following the number of units and name and enclosed in parenthesis. Use ISBD punctuation as illustrated below to separate the various elements of physical description:
extent : physical details, other physical details ; size
Item consists of a computer program with a users guide.
300 ... +|e1 users guide (12 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm) -- [RDA; 33X fields would also be added]
300 ... +|e1 users guide (12 p. : ill ; 22 cm.) -- [AACR2]
Item consists of a book with an accompanying map.
300 ... +|e1 map (color ; 84 x 84 cm) -- [RDA; 33X fields would also be added]
300 ... +|e1 map (col. ; 84 x 84 cm.) -- [AACR2]
A 500 note may also be used to input additional descriptive information for accompanying material if it cannot be sufficiently noted in the 300|e.
Item consists of a book with three accompanying maps in a pocket attached to the inside back cover.300 ... +|e3 maps.
500 Maps in pocket.
When there are more than one accompanying items, record each separating each statement with ( ^ + ^ )
Item consists of a book, 3 microfiches and a guide.
300 ... +|e3 microfiches + 1 guide.
