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Call Numbers and Locations

Call number

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updating

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• Enter the call number of a book into the Alma search box at the top of the page. Physical titles AND Permanent call number are the designators for the search.
• Enter the call number (capitalization does not count) according to this example: AC85 G456 Zz845aG456Zz845a. Do not place periods between the segments because Alma often does not have them in the 852 field. Do not include any asterisks and keep places between the elements.
• There may be rare occasions when you must place periods between the segments because the 852 has them.
• Select the appropriate record by checking the title and publication information on the book and in Alma. Select the appropriate holdings record and update the call number following the examples below. Delete any delimiters within the call number (e.g. $$i) except for volume designations, any asterisks (*), and add periods between segments except for volume designations, if present. This does not apply to Library of Congress call numbers but call number schemes devised by Houghton Library.
  • AC85.G456.Zz845a
  • FC8.T57.1845
  • EC7.P297.R777 $$m v.1

Location updating

• The location in the 852 field must be changed to $$c HD from $$c GEN for books not in phase boxes. Phase box books keep $$c GEN. Save the holdings record.

Bound-with Books

Bound-withs are volumes that include more than one title not original to the volume. In the past, many book owners would collect pamphlets and then bind them into one volume for convenience. Each title is actually a different bibliographic record, but their records must be connected and share a common call number. Updating them takes care and patience. In addition to correcting the call numbers, other information about the title must be included in the holdings records. Information includes transfer, gift, or purchase information, RDA 337 and 338 fields, notes, and linking information. Specific instructions on composing some notes fields can be found on the Houghton Library Cataloging wiki at https://wiki.harvard.edu/confluence/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=37552525.

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