MLA BP
Music Library Association Best Practices for Music Cataloging Using RDA and MARC21 for Chapter 3: Describing Carriers
MLA BP for 3.1.4
RESOURCES CONSISTING OF MORE THAN ONE CARRIER TYPE
Books or scores issued with audio/video carriers: Follow method 1a or 1b.
EXAMPLE
300 | 1 score (xxxii pages) ; $c 30 cm + $e 1 audio disc (4 3/4 in.) |
Or
300 | 1 score (xxxii pages) ; $c 30 cm |
300 | 1 audio disc ; $c 4 3/4 in. |
Audio/video carriers with accompanying volume (insert, booklet, etc.): Generally follow method 3, that is, consider a booklet inserted in an audio/video carrier to be of “little bibliographic importance.” Optionally, if the accompanying volume is substantial in content and/or extent, follow method 1a or 1b.
EXAMPLE
500 | Song texts with English translations from Yiddish and Hebrew (4 unnumbered pages) inserted in container. |
Or
300 | 1 audio disc ; $c 4 3/4 in. + $e 1 volume (4 unnumbered pages ; 12 cm) |
344 | $3 Audio disc $a digital $2 rda |
347 | $3 Audio disc $a audio file $b CD audio $2 rda |
Or
300 | 1 audio disc ; $c 4 3/4 in. |
300 | 4 unnumbered pages ; $c 12 cm |
344 | $3 Audio disc $a digital $2 rda |
347 | $3 Audio disc $a audio file $b CD audio $2 rda |
300 | 6 audio discs (42 min. each) ; $c 4 3/4 in. |
300 | 7 volumes : $b illustrations ; $c 12 cm |
344 | $3 Audio discs $a digital $2 rda |
347 | $3 Audio discs $a audio file $b CD audio $2 rda |
MLA BP for 3.2
MEDIA TYPE
MLA recommendation: Follow . Record media type associated with the primary content of a resource in all cases.
If feasible, record media type associated with any accompanying material that is described in 300 $e or in a separate 300, as follows. Record multiple instances of media type in separate 337 fields.
Books or scores issued with audio/video carriers: Encode in 337 and 007/00.
Audio/video carriers with accompanying volume (insert, booklet, etc.): Encode in 337.
If deemed useful for identification or selection, specify the carrier to which the term refers in 337 $3.
EXAMPLE
300 | 1 audio disc (48 min., 17 sec.) ; $c 4 3/4 in. |
300 | 1 videodisc (1 hr., 3 min., 25 sec.) : $b color ; $c 4 3/4 in. |
337 | audio $2 rdamedia $3 audio disc |
337 | video $2 rdamedia $3 videodisc |
MLA BP for 3.3
CARRIER TYPE
MLA recommendation: For resources of notated music consisting of a folded sheet or two or more nested folded sheets, with or without a single leaf in the middle, record the carrier term "volume" if the resource is intended to be used as a cohesive whole. For single leaves that contain parts or are otherwise usable separately, record the carrier term "sheet."
If feasible, record carrier type associated with any accompanying material that is described in 300 $e or in a separate 300, as follows. Record multiple instances of carrier type in separate 338 fields.
Books or scores issued with audio/video carriers: Encode in 338 and 007/01.
Audio/video carriers with accompanying volume (insert, booklet, etc.): Encode in 338.
If deemed useful for identification or selection, specify the carrier to which the term refers in 338 $3.
EXAMPLE
300 | 1 audio disc (48 min., 17 sec.) ; $c 4 3/4 in. |
300 | 1 videodisc (1 hr., 3 min., 25 sec.) : $b color ; $c 4 3/4 in. |
338 | audio disc $2 rdacarrier $3 audio disc |
338 | videodisc $2 rdacarrier $3 videodisc |
MLA BP for 3.4.1.3
RECORDING EXTENT
MLA recommendation: Generally do not apply the alternative in a shared cataloging environment, that is, do not use a carrier term in common usage (e.g., "1 CD", "1 DVD-ROM").
MLA BP for 3.4.1.4
EXTENT--EXACT NUMBER OF UNITS NOT READILY ASCERTAINABLE
MLA BP for 3.4.1.7.1
NUMBER OF SUBUNITS--COMPUTER DISCS, CARTRIDGES, ETC.
MLA recommendation: Routinely specify number of subunits for notated music content and audio files.
MLA BP for 3.4.1.7.4
NUMBER OF SUBUNITS--MICROFICHES AND MICROFILM
MLA recommendation: Routinely specify number of subunits for notated music content.
MLA BP for 3.4.1.7.5
NUMBER OF SUBUNITS--ONLINE RESOURCES
MLA recommendation: Routinely specify number of subunits for notated music content and audio files.
MLA BP for 3.4.3
EXTENT OF NOTATED MUSIC
For resources consisting of more than one type of unit, separate each type by space-“+”-space. Alternatively, encode extent for scores and parts in separate 300 fields.
EXAMPLE
300 __ | 1 score (73 pages) + 5 parts |
300 __ | 1 score (3 volumes) + 4 parts (3 volumes) |
300 __ | 1 score (3 volumes) + 12 parts |
505 0_ | v. 1. Sonatas 1-5, two violins and basso continuo (1 score + 3 parts) -- v. 2. Sonatas 6-9, two violins, violone and basso continuo (1 score + 4 parts) -- v. 3. Sonatas 10-12, two violins, viola, violone and basso continuo (1 score + 5 parts). |
Each volume includes a separate set of parts, for a total of 12 parts.
Note that the RDA definition of “score” includes music for a solo performer. (In AACR2, music for a solo performer was described as “p. of music”, “leaves of music” or “v. of music”.)
MLA BP for 3.4.5.3
EXTENT OF TEXT--SINGLE VOLUME WITH UNNUMBERED PAGES, LEAVES, OR COLUMNS
EXAMPLE
300 | 1 score (1 unnumbered leaf) |
300 | 1 score (1 volume (unpaged)) |
MLA BP for 3.4.5.8
EXTENT OF TEXT--COMPLICATED OR IRREGULAR PAGING, ETC.
EXAMPLE
300 | 1 score (various pagings) |
Or
300 | 1 score (10, 9, 10, 8, 10 pages) |
300 | 1 score (2 volumes (various pagings)) |
MLA BP for 3.4.5.14
EXTENT OF TEXT--SINGLE SHEET
MLA recommendation: Do not apply this instruction to notated music. Instead, describe notated music on a numbered single sheet as “1 leaf” if only one side is numbered or as “2 pages” if both sides are numbered. If the sheet is unnumbered, describe it as “1 unnumbered leaf” if there is printing on one side or as “2 unnumbered pages” if there is printing on both sides. However, note that the carrier type (see 3.3) for a single sheet of notated music is still “sheet”.
EXAMPLE
300 | 1 vocal score (1 unnumbered leaf) |
MLA BP for 3.4.5.17
EXTENT OF TEXT--CONTINUOUSLY PAGED VOLUMES
EXAMPLE
300 | 1 score (2 volumes (588 pages)) |
MLA BP for 3.4.5.18
EXTENT OF TEXT--INDIVIDUALLY PAGED VOLUMES
MLA BP for 3.4.5.20
EXTENT OF TEXT--MORE THAN ONE SHEET
MLA recommendation: Do not apply this instruction to notated music. Instead, describe notated music on multiple unbound sheets by combining an extent term with the number of leaves or pages, as appropriate. However, note that the carrier type (see 3.3) for multiple sheets of notated music is still “sheet”.
EXAMPLE
300 | 1 part (3 leaves) |
300 | 1 score (5, 5 leaves) |
MLA BP for 3.5.1.6
RESOURCES CONSISTING OF MORE THAN ONE CARRIER
MLA BP for 3.5.1.6
EXCEPTION
Apply the exception for notated music by encoding dimensions of each carrier after the extent of that carrier, either in separate occurrences of 300 $c and $a, respectively, or in separate 300 fields.
EXAMPLE
300 | 1 score (15 pages) ; $c 43 cm + $a 23 parts ; $c 32 cm |
Or
300 | 1 score (15 pages) ; $c 43 cm |
300 | 23 parts ; $c 32 cm |
If giving separate 300 fields, give dimensions of each unit in $c, even if they are the same.
EXAMPLE
300 | 1 score (8 pages) ; $c 30 cm |
300 | 1 part (3 pages) ; $c 30 cm |
MLA BP for 3.9
PRODUCTION METHOD
MLA recommendation: If feasible, record production method for manuscripts of notated music.
EXAMPLE
500 | Printout. |
Or
340 | $d printout $2 rda |
MLA BP for 3.9.1.3
RECORDING PRODUCTION METHODS
MLA recommendation: If feasible, record the production method for certain types of optical discs (e.g., CD-R, DVD-R, etc.). The production method is encoded in MARC 340 $d. Further explanation may be made in a note (RDA 3.9.1.4 Details of Production Method).
EXAMPLE
340 __ | $d burning |
500 __ | CD-R. |
MLA BP for 3.16.2
SOUND CHARACTERISTIC--TYPE OF RECORDING
MLA recommendation: If feasible, record type of recording for all audio carriers.
EXAMPLE
344 | digital $2 rda |
500 | Made from an analog original. |
See here for guidance on recording type of recording and other elements for specific types of audio recordings.
MLA BP for 3.16.3
SOUND CHARACTERISTIC--RECORDING MEDIUM
MLA recommendation: If feasible, record recording medium for certain types of audio carriers.
EXAMPLE
344 | $b optical $2 rda |
MLA BP for 3.16.4
SOUND CHARACTERISTIC--PLAYING SPEED
MLA recommendation: If feasible, record playing speed for certain types of audio carriers.
EXAMPLE
344 | $c 45 rpm $c 33 1/3 rpm |
500 | Side one: 45 rpm; side two: 33 1/3 rpm. |
See here for guidance on recording playing speed and other elements for specific types of audio recordings.
MLA BP for 3.16.5
SOUND CHARACTERISTIC--GROOVE CHARACTERISTIC
MLA recommendation: If feasible, record groove characteristic for certain types of audio carriers.
EXAMPLE
344 | $d microgroove $2 rda |
See here for guidance on recording groove characteristic and other elements for specific types of audio recordings.
MLA BP for 3.16.8
SOUND CHARACTERISTIC--CONFIGURATION OF PLAYBACK CHANNELS
MLA recommendation: If feasible, record configuration of playback channels for all audio carriers
EXAMPLE
344 | $g stereo $g surround $2 rda |
See here for guidance on recording configuration of playback channels and other elements for specific types of audio recordings.
MLA BP for 3.16.9
SOUND CHARACTERISTIC--SPECIAL PLAYBACK CHARACTERISTIC
MLA recommendation: If feasible, record special playback characteristic for all audio carriers.
EXAMPLE
344 | $h Dolby-B encoded $2 rda |
See here for guidance on recording special playback characteristic and other elements for specific types of audio recordings.
MLA BP for 3.19.3
DIGITAL FILE CHARACTERISTIC--ENCODING FORMAT
MLA recommendation: Routinely record encoding format for digital audio and video carriers. If feasible, record encoding format for audio, video, and computer carriers treated as accompanying material.
A list of encoding formats is no longer part of the RDA vocabulary; when recording encoding format, do not use MARC 347 $2 rda. Use separate MARC 347 fields when recording both RDA and non-RDA vocabulary terms.
EXAMPLE
347 | $b CD audio $b SACD |
347 | audio file $2 rda |
347 | $b DVD audio |
347 | audio file $2 rda |
347 | $b CD audio $b AAC |
Resource contains one audio file encoded in CD audio and one audio file encoded in AAC.
See here for guidance on recording encoding format and other elements for specific types of audio recordings.
MLA BP for 3.20
EQUIPMENT OR SYSTEM REQUIREMENT
MLA recommendation: Apply this instruction to non-standard audio carriers, encoding formats, etc., if deemed useful for identification or selection.
EXAMPLE
538 | Hybrid Super Audio CD (SACD): CD standard stereo playable on regular CD player; requires SACD player and playback equipment with analog inputs for DSD (Direct Stream Digital) stereo or 4.0 multichannel surround sound to audition SACD-encoded layers. |