Cataloging Procedures Manual

Chapter XIII: Music Scores and Sound Recordings Cataloging
Part D: Call Number Assignment for Music Cataloging

Contents:

Scores
Sound and Video Recordings

Scores: LC Cutter table | Marking

The Music Library classifies scores using Library of Congress classification. M, music and books on music / prepared by the Cataloging Policy and Support Office, Library Services. -- 1998 ed. -- Washington, DC : Library of Congress, Cataloging Distribution Service, 1999.

Cutter Assignment is the process of assigning alphabetic and numeric characters following the class number which will result in the placement of the cataloged items on the shelf in a logical, browsable order. In general, simplified terms, all works by individual composers, in like classes, are shelved together. Carried further, individual works of each individual composer are also shelved together.

The process of cuttering is often called shelflisting to more accurately represent the variety of tables used. Cuttering specifically refers to the use of the Cutter-Sanborn tables, tables that we do not use. We use the tables developed by the Library of Congress.

LC Cutter table

    (1)  After initial vowels
                  for the second letter:          b  d   l-m   n   p   r   s-t   u-y
                  use number:                      2   3    4    5   6   7    8    9

    (2)  After initial letter S
                  for the second letter:         a   ch   e   h-i   m-p   t   u   w-z
                  use number:                      2   3    4    5     6     7   8     9

    (3)  After initial letters Qu
                  for the second letter:          a   e   i    o    r   t    y
                  use number:                      3   4   5   6    7  8   9
                  For initial letters Qa-Qt, use:  2-29

    (4)  After other initial consonants
                   for the second letter:           a   e   i   o   r   u   y
                   use number:                        3  4   5  6   7  8   9

    (5)  For expansion
                   for the letter:              a-d   e-h   i-l   m-o   p-s   t-v  w-z
                   use number:                 3     4      5     6      7      8     9

          For authors or titles starting with Arabic numbers use A 12-19.

First Cutter

A "cutter" may consist of a single alphabetic character followed by one or more numerals, or it may be a thematic index number, opus number, or the year the piece was composed. Typically, the first cutter stands for the main entry. Always consult the shelflist before assigning cutter numbers to assure that it will allow scores to file alphabetically by composer (or title main entry) on the shelf. The use of two numerals for cutters is preferred. Omit initial articles in assigning cutters for titles.

Second Cutter

The choice for the second cutter is:
 

1st choice:	Thematic index number or opus number whenever given
2nd choice:	Serial number, but ONLY in classes where the meaning of the class equates with the meaning of the title (e.g., "no. 3" for Sonata no. 3 in a class of sonatas)
3rd choice:	Key (e.g., A minor). Spell out the word "flat"
4th choice:	Year of composition, in parentheses, to distinguish it from year used to edition
5th choice:	Uniform title or composer's title, ONLY if distinct from the meaning of the class
6th choice:	Single cuttering, used ONLY for the first entry for a composer

It may be necessary to combine the 5th choice with the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th choice. Special case: Collections of works by one composer, or collections of a musical form, such as sonatas, quartets, songs, etc., by one composer, and only in classes for these particular forms, have a second cutter assigned for the compiler, editor, etc.

Date

The final element in the call number is almost always the year of publication. This is the most recent date in the 260 field. If another publication of the specific work comes, and the date is identical to the first entry, add the letter (a, b, c, etc.) to the date.

When a date in the 260 field is incomplete, such as 19--, add the date as 1900z. If yet another publication arrives of the same work with the same incomplete date, that will become 1900za. For an uncertain decade of publication in the 260, such as 195-, use the form 1950z.

To distinguish between a score and set of parts for the same work with identical cutters, add "p" to the date of publication in the call number for the set of parts (e.g., M452.B455 1965p).

Because a variety of shelflisting methods have been used in the Music Library, remain cognizant of the method for a particular class and weigh carefully the advisability of introducing a new method.

Marking

For scores, write call number in pencil on the verso of the title page, preferably centered ca. one inch from the top of the page. For items which lack a title page, write the call number on the recto of the first page of music. For parts, write the call number in pencil on the front of each part, preferably on the top left corner. Left justify call numbers. Use the following format:

a.   Departmental library location:

1. MUSIC on the 1st line

b.   Class number

1. Write the letter on the 2nd line.
2. Write whole or decimal numbers on the 3rd line.

c.   Cutter

1. Preceded by a decimal point, 1st cutter is on the 4th line

d.  Number or key

1. If there is an op. no., thematic catalog no., other no. or key, write it on the next line. Include accidental (spell out "flat").

e.  Editor or publisher cutter

1. Preceded by a decimal point, the cutter for the editor or publisher is on the next line.

f.   Date

1. Date is on the next line. Any letters following the date are lowercase.

g.  Volume or part numbers

1. If there is any enumeration, write on the first line after the date. Use the terminology of the item in hand, abbreviating and capitalizing as indicated in the Pittsburgh Standards. Always use Arabic numerals. Use upper- or lowercase letters for letters parts or volumes according to use in the item.
2. Record each level of enumeration, one to a line, in descending order, expressing with terminology in the item and appropriate abbreviation and capitalization (see above).

h.  Related works

1. For related works, such as indexes, supplements, etc., write out the word "Index", abbreviate other terms according to AACR2. Capitalize all such terms. Write the term on the line after the date (or Cutter if no date is present), unless it is supplemental to a specific volume, in which case the term goes on the line following the volume indication.

i.   Copy numbers

1. Do not indicate copy 1; write the copy number for any copies other than "copy 1's" on the last line. Use lowercase "c".

j.   Instrumental part names

1. Write the name of each instrumental part on the 1st line after the date (or after Cutter if no date is present). Use English forms of names (see Names of instruments and voices in English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish). Exception: use cello for violoncello. Use Roman numerals to distinguish multiple parts for the same instrument. Do not follow the call number with the word "score", UNLESS more than one score is included on the bibliographic record.

Sound Recordings

Sound recordings are assigned accession numbers, with a prefix to identify type of recording medium.
CD   compact disk
LP    33 1/3 rpm disc
C      cassette
CR    concert recording (UVa local performances)

Call numbers are assigned on initial receipt of items, prior to cataloging for all except rush materials. A list of latest assigned accession numbers is kept in the processing area behing the circulation desk and must be consulted prior to assigning numbers as well as annotated after assigning new numbers. Individual parts of multi-volume sets are given a call number for the set with volume or part designation to collocate them on the shelves.

Videorecordings

The Music Library assigns call numbers for videos from a specific assigned range of videoaccession numbers in order to prevent conflicts with the collection in the Robertson Media Center. Use prefixes VHS for cassettes and DVD for DVD recordings. Individual parts of multi-volume sets are given a call number for the set with volume or part designation to collocate them on the shelves.

Table of Contents

Rev 11/27/02