-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: cataloging facsimiles of early maps
Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:36:27 -0500
From: Thomas, Leah (LVA) <[log in to unmask]>
To: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum <[log in to unmask]>
Hi Joel,
What we've decided to do at LVA is to catalog facsimiles at a local
level that we do not have the originals for. We are doing this to let
staff know what we have as well as the "local" user. I know a facsimile
can be a poor image, but it's still a representation, and all we've got
at times. If the user wants to see the original, we can possibly locate
another institution with the original; of course, the user would be
referred there. If there's a digital image of the map available, we
include the link to it in the record.
As for WorldCat, or OCLC, we only add facsimiles that really are
facsimiles according to the rules established by AACR2 and Cartographic
Materials, meaning printed. Anything else that is reproduced by a
photographic method is considered a photocopy (a photoreproduction). A
facsimile (printed) is a different printing of a map, for this reason it
is cataloged separately. Many times facsimiles are published as well. As
for a photocopy, we only enter other methods of photocopies other than
photostats, xerox, and inkjets. For example, if we don't have the
original for a map, but we do have the blueprint for it, or say a Civil
War map that is a sun print (photocopy), we will put this record into
WorldCat.
As far as digital images go, we will include the links to these
regardless of whether or not the bibliographic record is for a
facsimile/photocopy or original just to give staff and users a visual
image. Loading a record for an electronic image of a map into WorldCat
is very useful for other users. For example, the David Rumsey collection
has been invaluable to me in cataloging hardcopies of maps for many
reasons.
Our rationale for going this route is to let users know what we have. We
didn't see any point in cataloging every photocopy that is a duplication
of what we already have at the local level or in OCLC, but what might be
unique and useful.
I hope this helps, and I hope I was able to cover some of your
questions.
Best,
Leah
Leah M. Thomas
Senior Map Cataloger
Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219-8000
(804) 692-3612
(804) 692-3814 fax
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angie Cope
Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 11:50 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: cataloging facsimiles of early maps
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: cataloging facsimiles of early maps
Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:46:33 -0500
From: Joel Kovarsky <[log in to unmask]>
To: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum
<[log in to unmask]>
I am trying to get a sense of various library policies regarding
cataloging facsimiles of 15th-18th century maps. This is not a question
as to the cataloging method, but rather what criteria go into a decision
to put this into an electronic (online) catalog at all. For very large,
major repositories, it would seem that these would simply take up space
without providing any major value. I see some facsimiles cataloged in
WorldCat, but wonder about a policy of just keeping the electronic
record at a local level. There are obviously several issues involved
(and likely any number of others I haven't mentioned):
1. It could spare handling of an original.
2. If one doesn't have the original, at least you have something.
3. If it is a poor facsimile, i.e. likely not a true facsimile at
all, then why bother? In this situation, the facsimile might be
worse than nothing. (Would also considering that one would seriously
prefer facsimiles with good source details for the original.)
4. If the original map is already available online via a major
database with a maneuverable image, why bother cataloging the
facsimile at a local level?
5. It takes up space needed for other materials.
6. Given some ambivalence in this process, if one were to go ahead,
should the electronic record be held at the local level, and not
loaded into WorldCat (if not there already)?
Pardon my ignorance in this, but I have been asked to make some
decisions regarding a group of facsimile maps (that I have not yet fully
evaluated). I have some existing bias here, but would like to hear a bit
more diversity of opinion from this group.
Joel Kovarsky
|
