-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: map cataloging question
Date:   Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:26:18 -0400
From:   Amy Phillips <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To:       [log in to unmask]
Organization:   Harvard College Library
To:     [log in to unmask]
References:     <[log in to unmask]>



Dear Mr. Grabach,

Can you please give the OCLC # for the record you describe that is your
work-in-hand? There are 3 records that come up with the title you
identified.  Is your copy in German, by the way? You did not mention if
it was or not - if it is not, then you def. have a dif. rec. It looks
like one cataloger (from the Netherlands) decided it was more of a
"computer file" than a map and DLC's cataloging is the map format - so
if you take their copy you don't have to change the format. The Natural
History Museum also used the map format - so changing the format, is
again not going to be an issue in this case.

I think you can probably err on the side of making a new record.
Generally, OCLC or subsequent catalogers merge duplicate records.

All the best,
Amy Phillips

Maps-L Moderator wrote:
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject:        map cataloging question
> Date:   Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:53:39 -0400
> From:   Grabach, Kenneth A. Mr. <[log in to unmask]>
> To:     [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
> I have purchased and recently received a small number of specialized
> maps, covering vegetation geography of various areas.  Each of the
> items in question is accompanied by a separate text.  In each case the
> text makes clear the fact that it is the accompanying item by having
> "map of ..." or "vegetation map of ..." or similar combination in the
> title.
>
> The conundrum I am wrestling with is that where a catalog record
> exists in the OCLC database, the description conveys the fiction that
> it is a text accompanied by a map.  In one case, a significant work,
> "Map of the natural vegetation of Europe", 2000-2003, with two
> volumes, an explanatory text and legend text, and and appendix in
> CD-ROM all accompany a map at 1:2,500,000 scale in 9 sheets with a
> separate legend sheet and an overview map at 1:10,000,000.  The two
> text volumes are numbered 1 and 2.  The description calls this an
> atlas in 3 volumes, although each volume has the title map of..., and
> the map sheets are not designated as vol. 3.  No, it's a map in 9
> sheets, all the appropriate materials say so.  Vol. 1 and 2 are
> obvious accompaniments to this, and the CD-ROM is an accompaniment to
> the larger text volume, the contents pages say so.
>
> That is just one example.
>
> I can change the record to add appropriate information in various
> fields, add fields.  Sometimes I've needed to switch from book format
> (?) to maps.  I don't want unnecessarily to create a new record when
> the item being described is definitely the one I have in hand.  How
> have you handled this sort of thing when you have encountered it?
>
>
> Ken Grabach                         <[log in to unmask]>
> Maps Librarian                         Phone: 513-529-1726
> Miami University Libraries
> Oxford, Ohio  45056  USA