CATALOGING FOR THE MAP & IMAGERY LIBRARY: MAPS
Maps are generally selected by the Map Librarian and are routed directly to that location upon receipt. The Map Librarian selects from among them the maps that require priority cataloging and normally places lower priority maps in cases along with others having the same geographic coverage after penciling a general class number on the map. Although sheet maps are not usually acquired using individual order records nor temporary records are created for these, they generally lack bibliographic access in our catalog, but are effectively in circulation found by patrons in the uncataloged section of maps (arranged geographically by G class schedule) in the Map Library.
For instructions on maps accompanying other materials refer to the Alephpro section on “Books and Serials with Accompanying Maps.”
Maps selected for cataloging are brought to the map case in the Cataloging and Metadata Dept. for cataloging by the Contributed Cataloging Unit staff. After searching, they will be represented in Aleph either by a downloaded OCLC record or by a provisional record. Care should be taken to include an appropriate 691 field to provide geographic subject access and also to pencil the Aleph number on the edge of the map as soon as the record is entered. The library and collection codes for sheet maps in Aleph is UFMAP MAP (previously GEN). Maps are cataloged according to standards established in AACR2r and the Cartographic Materials, 2nd ed. and classified in the LC class schedule G. Subjects are assigned from LCSH.
In addition to the LC subject terms, corresponding reverse geographic headings are entered in 691 and 690 fields with second indicator 9. These enable retrieval with geographic subject searches in the public catalog for both general and specific place names, with year and scale displayed in the index. Each 651 term is also entered in a 691 field including a subfield y with year and subfield x with scale. For places, the heading is also entered with the larger place (usually given as a qualifier in the LCSH term) in front of the more specific place). For example:
651: 0: Santa Fe River (Fla.) |v Maps, Physical.
691: 9: Santa Fe River (Fla.) |x Maps, Physical |y 1998 |x 1:20,000.
691: 9: Florida |z Santa Fe River |x Maps, Physical |y 1998 |x 1:20,000.
Contributed Cataloging Unit staff handle adds to previously cataloged maps and catalog DLC copy without review; using shared copy with review by another Archivist; and cooperative original cataloging with revision by the Unit head. Usually all map series are cataloged by the unit head, and with some exception delegated to the Library Associate II.
Maps received as part of the Federal Depository program will generally already be reflected in the catalog and have SUDOC class numbers. Upon transfer to the Map & Imagery Library they may be reclassified into the LC class schedule G and will also have reverse geographic terms added. This will usually be done by a designated staff member in the Map and Imagery Library with any needed consultation or assistance by Contributed Cataloging Unit staff.
When maps being cataloged are accompanied by indexes, etc. these should be reflected in the same bibliographic record and should be classed with the map to facilitate their use even though they will not generally be stored with the map in the map case. They should also reflect the appropriate holdings field (e.g., 852, etc.) information.
After full cataloging, a printout of the public view of the record is returned to the Map and Imagery Library along with the map. Call number labeling and stamping are provided there and they are then placed in appropriate drawers by LC class number order by Map and Imagery Library staff.
Indexed:
Map Cataloging
Cataloging for Map and Imagery Library: Maps
Prepared by: Jimmie Lundgren
Created: June 29, 2005
Revised by: Jorge Gonzalez (June 23, 2008)
