When to use this manual:
This manual should be used when the cataloger archivist is cataloging describing a group of materials that would benefit more from a collective or group description, than a single-item (more book-like) approach. It may have a finding aid or may not. The cataloger will have to make this decision, always noting that if a "list" or finding aid is necessary to fully describe the items to assist the reader to call for the proper materials, a finding aid should be produced. The cataloger should also be aware that the materials are end-processed with labels that are generated using the cataloging records produced. If item numbers are assigned to a small collection, but there is no finding aid, then the end-processing section will have no way to generate labels. This manual will also be used when a preliminary box-list is produced as a finding aidcollection of material and using archival content standards. The collection will almost always have a finding aid, whether it's full file-level or collection-level description.
Historical overview
General considerations before beginning the MARC record
...
Guidelines for working with Extra-illustrated volumes
Fields in the bibliographic record
...
2xx: Title
...
3xx: Physical description, etc
...