Download PART I - RDA Steering Committee

5JSC/Editor/Part I/Introduction/Rev
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
SCOPE
The rules in part I provide instructions on formulating bibliographic descriptions.
Those descriptions need (in most instances) headings and/or uniform titles added to them
before they are usable as catalogue entries. For instructions on the formulation of such
access points, see part II. [0.21]
STRUCTURE OF THE DESCRIPTION
The rules for description are based on the general framework for the description of
library materials, the General International Standard Bibliographic Description
(ISBD(G)1) agreed between the International Federation of Library Associations and
Institutions (IFLA) and the Joint Steering Committee for Revision of AACR. They follow
that framework exactly in the order of elements and their prescribed punctuation. It was
agreed with IFLA that it is not necessary for codes of rules to follow the terminology of
the ISBD(G) exactly. [0.22]
ORGANIZATION OF THE RULES
The rules for description are divided into sections covering general rules (section A)
and supplementary rules applicable to specific types of content (section B) and specific
types of media (section C). [0.23]
Within section A, there are three chapters. The first (chapter A1) contains general
rules that apply to all types of resources. The second (chapter A2) contains rules that
modify certain general rules for application to resources issued in successive parts. The
third (chapter A3) contains rules that modify certain general rules for application to
integrating resources. References are provided from the general rules in chapter A1 to the
corresponding instructions in chapters A2 and A3.
Section B comprises seven chapters, each containing supplementary rules applicable
to resources embodying a specific type of content: text, music, cartographic resources,
graphics, three-dimensional resources, sound, and moving images.
1. ISBD(G) : General International Standard Bibliographic Description : Annotated Text / prepared by
the Working Group on the General International Standard Bibliographic Description set up by the IFLA
Committee on Cataloguing. – London : IFLA International Office for UBC, 1977.
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Section C comprises seven chapters, each containing supplementary rules applicable
to resources conveyed in a specific type of media: print and graphic media, micrographic
media, tactile media, three-dimensional media, audio media, projected graphic, film and
video media, and digital media.
Where additional instructions relating to a particular element are required for specific
types of content or media, the rules in section A provide references to supplementary
instructions in sections B and C. For example, rule A1.1B15 contains instructions on
devising a brief descriptive title for a resource that lacks a title proper, with references to
specific rules in section B for devising descriptive titles for texts, music, cartographic
resources, etc.
Within each of the chapters in sections B and C the rule numbering corresponds to that
in chapter A1. For example, the general rule on devising a brief descriptive title is
numbered A1.1B15; the corresponding supplementary rules for texts, music, and
cartographic resources are numbered B1.1B15, B2.1B15, and B3.1B15, respectively. The
chapters in sections B and C contain only supplementary instructions. If there are no
supplementary instructions to the general rule as given in chapter A1 pertaining to a
specific type of content or media, the chapter in section B or C will contain no rule
corresponding to the general rule in chapter A1. As a result there are gaps in the rule
numbering in those sections.
APPLICATION OF GENERAL AND SUPPLEMENTARY RULES
In formulating a description for a resource it is generally necessary to include elements
that relate to aspects of its content and/or the medium in which it is conveyed. The rules
in part I are structured so as to provide general instructions on formulating each element
of the description, supplemented by additional instructions applicable to specific types of
content or media. [new]
The general rules for description in chapter A1, together with the instructions
applicable to resources issued in successive parts contained in chapter A2 and those
applicable to integrating resources contained in chapter A3, if needed, serve as the
starting point for formulating the description. The rules in chapter A1 are structured
around the eight areas of description defined in the ISBD(G), and proceed element by
element through each of those areas in sequence.
A general rule in section A may reference supplementary rules in any of the chapters
in sections B and/or C. In describing a particular resource, it may be necessary in
applying a general rule to consult a supplementary rule in section a supplementary rule in
section B related to the content of the resource as well as a supplementary rule in section
C related to the medium in which the resource is conveyed.
DETERMINING THE FOCUS FOR THE DESCRIPTION
The description of a resource may focus on any one of the following: [new]
a) a single-part resource (or a single part of a resource comprising two or more
parts)
b) a resource comprising two or more parts issued simultaneously
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INTRODUCTION
c) a resource issued in successive parts
d) an integrating resource
e) a separately titled component within a single-part resource or within a part of
a multipart resource
f) an assembled collection of resources
The rules in part I are designed so that they can be applied in accordance with the
focus of the description.
Chapter A1 provides direction on choosing a chief source of information that is
appropriate to the focus of the description (see A1.0A1).
If the focus for the description is a single-part resource or a resource comprising two
or more parts issued simultaneously, the general rules in chapter A1 will normally be
applicable without modification.
If the focus for the description is a resource issued in successive parts or an
integrating resource, certain of the general rules in chapter A1 will be modified by a
corresponding rule in chapters A2 and A3 respectively.
If the focus for the description is a separately titled component within a single-part
resource or within a part of a multipart resource, chapter A1 provides instructions for
structuring the description as an “In” analytic (see A1.11).
If the focus for the description is an assembled collection, certain of the general rules
in chapter A1 (e.g., those pertaining to place of publication, distribution, etc., name of
publisher, distributor, etc., date of publication, distribution, etc., extent, and dimensions)
provide instructions specific to assembled collections.
Chapter A1 also provides instructions for briefly describing parts of a multipart
resource or of an assembled collection and separately titled components of a resource
within the description of the larger resource. Parts of a multipart resource (including
supplements) may be described as ancillary material (see A1.5E). Separately titled
components may be described in contents notes (see A1.7B21). The description of parts
of a multipart resource and separately titled components may also be included with a
description of the larger resource in a multilevel description (see A1.12).
RESOURCES IN AN UNPUBLISHED FORM
Certain of the general rules in chapter A1 (e.g., those pertaining to place of
publication, distribution, etc. and to name of publisher, distributor, etc.) apply only to
resources in a published form. In those cases, and in others where the rules applying to
resources in an unpublished form differ from those applicable to resources in a published
form, instructions applying to resources in an unpublished form are included as separate
subrules under the general rule for that element and the applicability of each of the
subrules under the general rule to either resources in a published form or resources in an
unpublished form is indicated. [new]
OPTIONS AND OMISSIONS
Although the rules for description are based upon a standard (the ISBD(G)), it is
recognized that certain resources do not require every element of that standard. [0.26]
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The ISBD(G) contains an area for details that are specific to a particular type of
material or type of publication. This area is used in these rules for resources embodying
music in notational form (chapter B2), cartographic resources (chapter B3), and serials
(chapter E1). This area is not used for resources that do not fall into one or more of those
categories. [0.25]
All notes described in the chapters of part I are optional (unless a note is specifically
stated to be mandatory) in that their inclusion in the description depends on the nature of
the resource described and the purpose of the entry concerned. In addition, the wording of
notes in the examples is not prescriptive (i.e., if desired, choose another wording provided
that it meets the general requirements of brevity and clarity). [0.27]
Not all measurements prescribed in part I are metric. They are the normal
measurements used at this time in libraries in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom,
and the United States. Where no predominant system of measurement exists, metric
measurements have been used. Substitute metric measurements for nonmetric
measurements when: [0.28]
either a) in the course of time a metric measurement becomes the normal
measurement for the resources in question
or b) the rules are being used in a country where only metric measurements are
used.
Rule A1.0D contains a specification of three levels of description. Consider each of
these levels as a minimum. When appropriate, add further information to the required set
of data. The three levels of description allow libraries flexibility in their cataloguing
policy, because they prescribe an entry that is in conformity with bibliographic standards
and yet allow some resources to be described in more detail than others. Use the three
levels of description: [0.29]
either a) by choosing a level of description for all resources catalogued in the
library
or b) by drawing up guidelines for the use of all three levels in one catalogue
depending on the type of resource being described.
This standardization at three levels of description will help in achieving uniformity of
cataloguing, and it is recommended that each machine-readable record carry an indication
of the level at which the resource has been described. [0.29]
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