Videorecordings (DVDs, Blu-ray, etc.)

Summary: Guidelines for cataloging video discs (primarily DVDs) under AACR2 rules. Includes special instructions showing differences for Blu-ray discs, laser discs, videocassettes, PAL and non-U.S. region codes, and more than one disc in a case.  Primarily oriented toward copy cataloging, though the rules will apply to original records also.

Fixed fields

Type: g

Tech: l (small L : stands for 'live action'). Usually this is what we have.

Time: Recorded as three numbers (053 = 53 min. ; 190 = 190 min. ; --- if unknown).
             Should match the 300 field. Record in minutes, rounding up if necessary.

DtSt: Normally either s (single date) or p (production date)
          p Dates: 2010,1973 (for 2010 DVD of a 1973 film)

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Variable fields

001

• If there is more than one OCLC number in the record, delete the unneeded one.

007

• DVD example:  vd cvaizu   [position 5 is v for DVD]

•  Blu-ray example:  vd csaizu   [position 5 is s for Blu-ray]

• Position 4 may be c (color), b (b&w) or m (mixed). Last position may be u (unknown type of sound) or various other values (s for stereo, etc.)

028 42

• Publisher number (often on spine of case). Searchable in OCLC. Company name goes in the |b subfield. Example: CVV3722 |b Liberty Videos

049

• EEM7

050/090

• LC call number with format after date. 
                  Example: PN1995.9.W3 |b B56 2002 VideoDVD
                                  DT1800 |b.C34 2014 Blu-ray Video

• You may accept the call number on copy. However, for "big-screen" movie releases, often copy will have PN1997. We prefer to change this to a more specific call number, using the A-Z list of special topics found in ClassWeb under PN1995.9 (or the old printed list). For example:

          PN1995.9.S26 |b B55 2000 VideoDVD (science fiction film The blob)
          PN1995.9.F67 |b E875 2004 VideoDVD (foreign film El Espinazo del Diablo)
          PN1995.9.C543 |b H555 2014 Blu-ray Video (college life: Higher learning)

  Regardless of what the A-Z list of topics says, fiction films should always go in the P classification. For instance, the A-Z list puts films about a specific war in the D classification. As of May 2011, we will not follow this practice and will put fictional war films under PN1995.9.W3 (or another PN number).

  Non-fiction films, however, should have a call number that goes with the subject.

245 

•  GMD (for AACR2 record only):  |h [videorecording]

300

• Use the term videodisc and include running time if available. Record size in inches (4 3/4 is standard for a DVD or Blu-ray).
            1 videodisc (97 min.) : |b sd., col. ; |c 4 3/4 in.

508

• Credits note, accept as is. If none, add producer and director if they are easily available and are not already in the 245.
            Producer, Sam Thomas ; director, Lesley Selander.

511

• Cast note, accept as is. First indicator can be either zero or one.
                             Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz.

520

•  Summary, accept as is. If not there, construct from case information if possible.

538

• Examples: DVD.
                    DVD (PAL format): Not compatible with some American DVD players or NTSC-only systems.
                    DVD (Region 2, PAL format): Not compatible with some American DVD players or NTSC-only systems.
                    Blu-ray disc (Region A): Not compatible with standard DVD players; requires Blu-ray disc player.

• For copy, accept other wordings. Examples:
                    Blu-ray disc: Requires Blu-ray player.
                    Region 2 DVD: May not play on all DVD players.
  Older copy might have the information in a 500 note rather than a 538 field. Accept the 500 note.

        See below for more information about region codes, PAL format, and Blu-rays.

546

• Language note, including subtitle information. Often differs with different editions of the video. Check for accuracy. (Information is usually on the container.)

6xx

• Same rules as for print. For fiction movies, there may be subjects with. Examples: |v Drama. and Crime |v Drama.

655

• (genre)   Always include the genre term Feature films for full-length fiction movies (movie theater or direct-to-DVD). Add this genre term if necessary. This is important, since a list is run regularly of feature films held by the library. Example:  655 _7 Feature films. |2 lcgft

• Other genre terms may be used also. Generally accept them as is, though it is helpful to add a genre term when you are using a call number cutter such as .C55 (comedy films). Examples of additional genre terms for big-screen movies:
                      655 _7 Comedy films. |2 lcgft
                      655 _7 Science fiction films. |2 lcgft
                      655 _7 Horror films. |2 lcgft

  A common genre term for non-fiction films is:
                      655 _7 Documentary films. |2 lcgft

7xx

• Accept as is. Video records often trace many people and production companies.

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Physical processing

Video discs should not be left in jewel cases. Instead, place DVDs or Blu-rays in tall DVD cases. (The slightly shorter Blu-ray cases are also fine for Blu-rays.)
Gov Docs is an exception: their DVDs or Blu-rays should remain in jewel cases.

Write the call number on a yellow stickie and put on the case. The completed disc goes into the media cabinet in Catalog Maintenance for labeling. If there is more than one disc in the case, or if a booklet is included, see below for labeling instructions.

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Special procedures/problems

More than 1 disc in the case

300 field:   2 videodiscs
866 field:   disc 1-disc 2
Item record volume field:   discs 1-2
Label:   1-2  [normally there is no need to include "discs" on label]
Workstats: change number at end of workstats to number of discs in case

We sometimes receive two discs in one case containing the same material in two different formats. A common example is a movie on Blu-ray disc which comes with a bonus DVD of the same movie. We will normally separate the two discs, repackaging as necessary, and catalog each format on its own record, adding appropriate notes and generally a 777 "Issued with" linking field to each record.

Booklet or other printed material in the case

Cataloger has two choices:
1. Ignore it completely.  [for instance, a single sheet containing a list of scenes]
2. Note it in five places:
    a. 300 field |e subfield
    b. 500 field "Accompanied by" note
    c. 866 field: disc & booklet or discs 1-3 & guide [or other term]
    d. item record: disc & booklet or discs 1-3 & guide [or other term]
    e. label: write & Booklet [or other term] as the last line on the yellow stickie. For the label, please capitalize the term.

PAL format and region codes

American DVD players use NTSC format, but much of the world uses PAL format. The two are not compatible, particularly on older systems. Also, most North American DVD players will only play Region 1 or all-region (sometimes called Region 0 or region-free) DVDs. Format and region information is often on the back of the DVD container or on the disc label. When we know that a DVD is PAL format or is Region 2-6, we will include that information in the call number and the 538 field.

Blu-ray discs are not affected by PAL/NTSC and have a different system of region codes (A,B,C, with A for the U.S.). For Blu-ray discs, include the region code in the 538 if known, and include the region code in the call number for region B or C discs.

   050/090:   PN1997 |b .S8 2010 PAL VideoDVD
                    PN1997 |b .S8 2010 Region 2 VideoDVD
                    PN1997 |b .S8 2010 Region 2 PAL VideoDVD
                    PN1997 |b .S8 2017 Region B Blu-ray Video

   538:   DVD (PAL format): Not compatible with some American DVD players or NTSC-only systems.
             DVD (Region 2, PAL format): Not compatible with some American DVD players or NTSC-only systems.
             Blu-ray disc (Region A): Not compatible with standard DVD players; requires Blu-ray disc player.
             Blu-ray disc (Region B): Not compatible with standard DVD players; requires Blu-ray disc player which will play Region B (non-U.S.) discs.

For copy, accept other wordings in the 538 (or in a 500 note). For example:
          Region 2 DVD: May not play on all DVD players.
          PAL format. May not play on American DVD players.

Blu-ray discs

007   |e = s
call no.:   Blu-ray Video
245   |h [videorecording (Blu-ray)]    [AACR2 records only]
500   Blu-ray disc release of the 2006 film.   [or a similar note]
538   Blu-ray disc: Not compatible with standard DVD players; requires Blu-ray disc player.   [see previous section for more examples]

For copy, accept other wordings in the 538 (or in a 500 note). For example:
          Blu-ray disc: Requires Blu-ray player.
          Blu-ray video (region A). Will only play on machine that plays Region A Blu-ray discs.               .

Laser discs

007   |e =g
call no.:   Video (12 inch) disc   [include (12 inch) on yellow stickie also]
245   |h [videorecording]
300   |c 12 in.
538   Laserdisc.

          Examples in the catalog: Big trouble in little China (.b48534262)
                                                 Adventures of Priscilla, queen of the desert (.b72745903)

Videocassettes

007   |b = f
         |e =b (for VHS) or a (for Beta)
245   |h [videorecording]
050/090: Videocassette
yellow stickie: Video cass.
538   VHS (or Beta)
For a set containing more than one videocassette, use cass. in the 866 and the item volume field.

DVD-R and DVD+R formats

These are DVDs that have been recorded privately rather than professionally (i.e., they are "burned" rather than "stamped"). They are treated as normal videoDVDs. If you know that you have a DVD-R or DVD+R format, give that information in the 538 field rather than simply saying DVD. The call number still says VideoDVD.

If we start receiving Blu-ray recordable discs (BD-RE), we will follow the same pattern: Record the information in the 538 field and use Blu-ray Video in the call number.

Government documents: DVDs, Blu-rays, CD-ROMS, and other non-books

All GovDocs non-print, whether primary or supplementary, is now sent to the DMC.
     Location codes for GovDocs material will be "gd", not "dm", for both bibliographic and item records.
     If the piece has an LC call number (International and Michigan docs), write DMC-GD for the location on the yellow stickie.
     GovDocs VideoDVDs or Blu-rays which come in jewel cases should NOT be put in tall videoDVD cases. For Gov Docs, both video discs and CD-ROMs are stored in jewel cases.

Video performance rights

(from T.S. Managers Meeting, 5/21/08)

The following plan was agreed to and will be shared with Collections Management. Selectors should provide information about performance rights at the time of order. The information will be noted in the order record. The staff person handling receiving will place a streamer with the film, and the streamer will have a printed message with space to record the publisher: Purchased with performance rights from _______________

The cataloger will use the information from the streamer and place the information in the staff note field [fnote] of the item record for the piece. The rights to use each copy of a film could be different so the most accurate place to have the rights information stated is the item record for the specific piece

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