Contents
NOTE: Some NLM instructions link to internal documentation that is only available to NLM employees.
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Definition and Uses of Cataloging Levels at NLM
Monographs
Full Level Cataloging
Descriptive Guidelines
Required descriptive elements and access points for full level cataloging are determined by the RDA and AACR2-based BIBCO Standard Record (BSR) MAPS as augmented by the NLM RDA Metadata Application Profile. Other elements and access points deemed important for identification and access may be added at the cataloger’s discretion, but notes to justify access points are generally not required.
Application
Full level is the default level of cataloging provided for all print and non-print English language materials receiving original cataloging, including CIPs, but excluding HMD pamphlets, which receive Limited Level cataloging. Historical moving images receive Archival Level cataloging. Historical still images receive full level cataloging augmented by instructions in the LC publication Graphic materials, 1982, rev. 2002. More detailed cataloging is provided as requested by the History of Medicine Division (HMD) or the Reference Section (RS). In these cases, additional notes and access points may be provided and notes are provided justifying access points that do not appear in the body of the record.
Authority Work
Full authority work is performed for all names and series used as access points. All authority records created are submitted to NACO as specified in the Authority Record Policy document (NLM internal documentation).
Subject Analysis and Classification
Subject access is provided through the assignment of a full complement of MeSH main and subheadings, as well as geographic terms and publication types as needed. RS and HMD materials that receive full level cataloging will be classified and fully shelflisted. No shelving number will be assigned to these items by Collection Development and Acquisitions Section (CDAS).
All other titles, with the exception of analytics and historical still images are shelved under a shelving number assigned by CDAS. An unshelflisted NLM class number is supplied as an alternative call number for titles with a shelving number and for W1 analytics. This is provided for collection development purposes and for use by the biomedical library community. Prior to June 2010, alternate classification numbers were shelflisted.
No call numbers are assigned to historical still images.
Copy
Copy cataloging is done whenever appropriate copy is located. English-language full level copy records are kept at full level. All other English-language copy cataloging records are upgraded to full level.
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Limited Level Cataloging
Guidelines
Required descriptive elements for limited level cataloging are determined by the level 1 guidelines in the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd ed., 2004 (AACR2) or the RDA Core guidelines as augmented by the NLM RDA Metadata Application Profile. Limited level records generally have two bibliographic access points (title and name). Additional access points are provided for a series and/or a parallel title when one is present in the item. For AACR2 cataloging only, cf. Limited Cataloging Manual (NLM internal documentation).
Application
Limited level cataloging is provided for all foreign language material, unless RS or HMD specifically request a different level of cataloging.
HMD pamphlets receive limited level cataloging, regardless of language.
Authority Work
Full authority work is performed for all names and series used as access points. All authority records created are submitted to NACO as specified in the Authority Record Policy document (NLM internal documentation). (Note: prior to 2012, authority records created for limited level cataloging were not submitted to NACO.)
Subject Analysis and Classification
Subject access is provided through the assignment of a limited number of MeSH descriptors and subheadings. Up to three geographic terms and publication types may be assigned if needed.
Items receiving limited cataloging, with the exception of materials specifically requested by RS or the HMD, are shelved under a shelving number assigned by CDAS. An unshelflisted NLM class number is supplied as an alternative call number.
RS and HMD materials that receive limited cataloging are classified and fully shelflisted, with the exception of items classed in W6, which are shelved by the pre-assigned W6 number. No other shelving number or alternative call number is assigned to these items.
Copy
Copy cataloging is done whenever appropriate copy is located. The encoding level on all copy records is changed to 7 (Minimal level) as needed.
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Archival Level Cataloging
Guidelines
Required descriptive elements and access points for full level cataloging are determined by the RDA and AACR2-based BIBCO Standard Record (BSR) MAPS as augmented by the NLM RDA Metadata Application Profile and Archival Moving Image Materials: a Cataloging Manual.
Application
The Cataloging Section provides archival level cataloging records for archival moving images from HMD.
Authority work
Full authority work is performed for all names and series used as access points. All authority records created are submitted to NACO as specified in the Authority Record Policy document (NLM internal documentation).
Subject Analysis and Classification
Subject access is provided through the assignment of a full complement of MeSH main and subheadings, as well as geographic terms and publication types as needed.
Titles are assigned a shelving number by HMD. A fully cuttered NLM class number is also supplied as instructed in Shelflisting of AVs for Reference and HMD (NLM internal documentation).
Copy
Copy records are not used for archival level cataloging.
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Brief Level Cataloging
Guidelines
Required descriptive elements for brief level cataloging are determined by the level 1 guidelines in the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd ed., 2004 (AACR2) or the RDA Core guidelines. Brief level records for analytics generally have two bibliographic access points (title and series). Other brief level records have access by title only.
Application
Brief level cataloging is provided for all foreign language analytics and titles not acquired for the NLM collection.
Authority work
No authority work is done for access points on brief level records.
Subject analysis and classification
No subject analysis is provided for brief level records.
Foreign analytic records have a fully shelflisted call number corresponding to the series to which they belong. Other brief records have no call numbers.
Copy
Copy cataloging is used whenever appropriate copy is located. Access points are retained but not verified or established in the NLM NAF. The encoding level on all copy records is left unchanged.
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Definition and Uses of Cataloging Levels at NLM
Serials
Full Level Cataloging
Guidelines
Required descriptive elements and access points for full level cataloging are determined by the Program for Cooperative Cataloging RDA CONSER Record Standard as augmented by the NLM RDA Metadata Application Profile or the AACR2 CONSER Standard Record. Other elements and access points deemed important for identification and access may be added at the cataloger’s discretion, but notes to justify access points are generally not required.
Application
Full level cataloging is provided for:
- a. Serial titles indexed for Index Medicus (IM) at the point of selection for IM, including continuations or title changes of existing IM titles.
- b. All English-language serial materials.
- c. Modern French, German, Italian, and Spanish materials.
All serial titles receiving full level cataloging are submitted to the CONSER database.
Authority work
Full authority work is performed for all names and series used as access points. All authority records created are submitted to NACO as specified in the Authority Record Policy document (NLM internal documentation).
Subject analysis and classification
Subject access is provided through the assignment of a full complement of MeSH main and subheadings, as well as geographic terms and publication types as needed.
Print titles contain a fully shelflisted NLM (usually W1) class number.
Copy
Copy cataloging is done whenever appropriate copy is located. Records are upgraded to full level as needed and maintained in the CONSER database on OCLC, as well as in NLM’s local files.
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Limited Level Cataloging
Guidelines
Required descriptive elements for limited level cataloging are determined by the RDA CONSER Record Standard as augmented by the NLM RDA Metadata Application Profile or the AACR2 CONSER Standard Record. In general, only one access point is provided in addition to title and series.
Application
Limited cataloging is provided for all other foreign language serials not described above.
Limited level serial records are not submitted to CONSER.
Authority work
Full authority work is performed for all names and series used as access points. All authority records created are submitted to NACO as specified in the Authority Record Policy document (NLM internal documentation). (Note: prior to 2012, authority records created for limited level cataloging were not submitted to NACO.)
Subject analysis and classification
Subject access is provided through the assignment of a limited number of MeSH descriptors and subheadings. Up to three geographic terms and publication types may be assigned if needed.
Print records include a fully shelflisted (usually W1) NLM class number.
Copy
Copy cataloging is done whenever appropriate copy is located. The encoding level on all copy records is changed to 7 (Minimal level) as needed. Records are maintained only in NLM’s files.
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Brief Level Cataloging
Guidelines
Required descriptive elements for brief level cataloging are determined by the level 1 guidelines in the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd ed., 2004 (AACR2) or the RDA Core guidelines, augmented as required by special program needs. Brief level records have access by title only.
Application
Brief level cataloging is provided for titles not acquired for the NLM collection.
Authority work
No authority work is done for access points on brief level records.
Subject analysis and classification
No subject analysis is provided for brief level records.
Brief records have no call numbers.
Copy
Copy cataloging is used whenever appropriate copy is located. Access points are retained but not verified or established in the NLM NAF. The encoding level on all copy records is left unchanged.
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Last Reviewed: February 5, 2019