Software and/or materials required

• Sierra

• Connexion

• Internet browser

Project summary/background

These procedures outline the steps for cataloging MSS 719:Leftist Political posters collection. The entire collection consists of about 500 posters. Cataloging of this material is being handled remotely via digital images of the original posters.

This cataloging project is part of a larger project to provide access via the MSU Digital Repository. Because of the faceted search capabilities, more care needs to be taken for consistency.

Project instructions

Preparation work

• Prior to beginning this project, please open Connexion and download the shared poster constant data to your local constant data (Cataloging>Search>Online constant data>Posters)

• Open the following folder on TSCATME: Posters\MSS 719 posters

• Go to the Google doc MSS 719 poster inventory.

• Claim a poster for cataloging by putting your initials in the “CMS cataloger initials” column

Workflow

1. Check for existing descriptions of the poster:

   • Check OCLC for copy.

     • If MSU already has the poster, add it as a copy 2 (note: this is rare)

     • Sometimes, posters have been added to OCLC via an upload of minimal metadata from a digital repository. Thus, it’s also helpful to:

   • Google the title of the poster and/or artist to see if it’s been described somewhere. This can uncover not only issuing body information, but also digital images from libraries and archives and that may not be in OCLC.

     • If you find poster that’s been cataloged in OCLC and has a digital image available, compare the digital image online with our digital image to ensure it’s the same manifestation.

       • https://www.europeana.eu/en/ - portal for digital material held in European institutions.

     • If the description is not in OCLC, don’t reinvent the wheel! Feel free to use portions of the description you find as you catalog.

2. Some posters are considered more informational than graphical. The example that best suits this is OSHA requirements for breakrooms. If a poster seems more informational than graphical, follow the instructions above except for the following:

   • Catalog on a books workform. You may still add an 007 field for visual materials to denote it’s a poster.

   • In the 300, count as “1 sheet” instead of “1 poster.”

   • Note: still add ǂv Posters to the end of subject headings and add the 655 and 650 fields for to posters.

3. For artistic posters, catalog as normal, paying particular attention to:

   • Any transcribed element per PCC-PS for A.1: For capitalization of transcribed elements, catalogers are encouraged (but not required) to follow Appendix A; it is permitted to “take what you see” on the resource.

4. Fixed fields and 007 field:

   • 007 follow the instructions for non-projected graphics. The data included in the constant data is for the most typical instance, color poster on paper.

5. Call numbers

   • Assign call numbers after subject analysis:

     • 050: per BIBCO guidelines, assign a class number for the poster. However, no cutter is needed since we use the 099 for filing.

       • Examples:

         • 050 4$a HV6433.G32

         • 050 4$a HV8982

         • 050 4$a LB3610

       • 099: add number listed in the inventory in the “###” portion of the template.

         • Example: MSS 719-010

6. Creators/Access points

   • 1xx: for graphics, this field is for the artist that created the poster. This can be designated on the poster by a signature or by a name designated as the designer or artist. This is often an individual, not an organization.

   • 7xx:

     • The issuing body, is added is added as a 7xx, $e issuing body.

     • The 7xx can also be used for additional artists, issuing bodies, sponsoring bodies, and/or printers. If the relationship is unknown, leave off the relationship designator.

   • Add any creators to the Library of Congress Name Authority File.

7. 264 - Publisher information

   1. Note, the MARC 264 instructions state the publisher is “Field contains a statement relating to the publication, release, or issuing of a resource.“ Thus, add information about the issuing body to the 264 field. as a 264_1.

   2. If the printer is listed on the poster, please add it as a 264_3

8. 3xx fields

   • 300:

     • $b the template has “color,” since most posters are color. Delete if black and white. Add “double sided” if poster is double sided.

     • $c Height x Width: dimensions are listed in the Google docs inventory and will need to be rounded up.

   • 336: the template includes both still image and text. If one of those is incorrect, delete it.

   • 340: the template includes “single sided.” If this is incorrect, change to “double sided.”

9. Notes

   • 500 title note: state where the poster title originated. Usually this is “Title from poster recto.”, but sometimes it’s found on an artist website or a caption title below the image. This note should come first.

   • 520: Describe the poster, making special note to record imagery and important text, and ink colors.

     • Example: Poster shows a large red star in the center. Over the star is text about Ingrid Barabass and Mareile Schmegner. Around the star are images of protests and prominent members of the Red Army Faction. Ink is black and red.

     • Example: Poster shows a fence with two hands prying it apart. On either side are two newspaper articles. Title is above image with remaining text below. A partial red star is at the top of the image and another partial red star is at the bottom. Ink is black and red.

     • 500 quotes: add any quotes that may be helpful to a copy cataloger. [Optional]

10. Subjects

    • 6xxs: Add relevant subject headings. Append with $v Posters.

      • Since these are political posters, care should be given to research the historical context of the time and political environment these were created in, in addition to the specific topic of the poster.

        • Northern Ireland example (note: some posters may just say Ireland, but knowing the history, makes it clear it’s Northern Irish politics)

          • Example: Ierland, published between 1970 and 1989 (OCLC# 1155365033)

            • Northern Ireland ǂx History ǂy 1968-1998 ǂv Posters.

            • Northern Ireland ǂx Politics and government ǂy 1968-1998 ǂv Posters.

            • Political violence ǂz Ireland ǂy 20th century ǂv Posters.

        • West German terrorism

          • NOTE: Some countries have their own SHM sheets, such as Germany: H945

          • Example: Die Lügen der Baw werden immer offensichtlicher, published 1989 (OCLC# 1260313982)

            • Terrorist organizations ǂz Germany (West) ǂv Posters.

            • Germany (West) ǂx Politics and government ǂy 1982-1990 ǂv Posters.

    • Per Subject Headings Manual sheet H1945.5, add the type of poster, followed by the nationality, if authorized. Assign for both the issuing body region, as well as the subject matter (e.g., a Dutch poster about South Africa would be assigned both Political posters, Dutch, and Political posters, South African).

    • Note: Contested areas should receive headings for both identities. For example, posters about Northern Ireland should receive both “Political posters, Irish” and “Posters, British.”

    • Be as specific as possible, Because this project is comprised of all political posters:

      • Check if “Political posters, [NATIONALITY]” is authorized. If not:

      • Check for “Posters, [NATIONALITY].” If not:

      • Check for “Political posters, [CONTINTENAL IDENTITY].” If not:

      • Check for “Posters, [CONTINENTAL IDENTITY].”

    • Remember, per SHM H1945.5, these headings are assigned as 650s, not 655s!

      • Example subject headings include (note: check Classweb for comprehensive list):

        • Fascism—Posters

        • Political posters, African

        • Political posters, Dutch

        • Political posters, English

        • Political posters, French

        • Political posters, German

        • Political posters, Iranian

        • Political posters, Irish

        • Political posters, Israeli

        • Political posters, Latin American

        • Political posters, Palestinian

        • Political posters, Russian

        • Political posters, Soviet

        • Political posters, Spanish

        • Political posters, Turkish

      • Posters, Nationality examples (reminder: use only if the political poster heading isn’t established; note: check Classweb for comprehensive list)

        • Posters, British

        • Posters, Catalan

        • Posters, European

        • Posters, Middle Eastern

        • Posters, New Zealand

        • Posters, Norwegian

        • Posters, Serbian

      • Artistic posters: If a silkscreen poster, it will be noted in the “Additional notes” column of the spreadsheet. If a silkscreen, add:

        • 650_0 Serigraphy ǂv Specimens.

        • 650_Letterpress prints ǂv Specimens.

    • All of these posters also receive a 655_7 Political posters. ǂ2 lcgft. This should already be in the template.

    • Assign any other types of posters as a 655_7 from LCGFT as appropriate (e.g., Music posters, Film posters, Public health posters, etc.)

11. Validate and export to OCLC.

12. After, exporting to OCLC, add the following and export to Sierra (note the local 830s should be in our local copy in Sierra only, not OCLC):

    • 830 0Leftist political posters collection. ǂ5 MiEM

    • 830 0Radicalism posters collection. ǂ5 MiEM

    • 949 *ov=.;i= /loc=sp/ty=199/sta=o/w=cmsoriggrphXXX;

13. Go back to the Google doc inventory and add the bib and OCLC numbers.

Resources

Beyond Books: Cataloging Special Format Items presentation by Nicole Lewis, Allison McCormick, Becky Skeen, & Rebecca Wiederhold