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Statewide Cataloging Best Practices

General guidelines for all types of records

The guidelines below apply to most RDA cataloging and are intended as a suggestion for all records regardless of material type. The general guidelines can be used as the baseline elements recommended for bibliographic records.

Field	Guidelines
Fixed fields: LDR, 006, 007, 008	Fixed fields should be as complete and accurate as possible: format, language, audience, and other pertinent discovery details are derived from these fields. May require editing to ensure optimal discovery.
020/022/024/028	Appropriate identifying number 020/022/024/028. Consider adding subfield q (Example, $q paperback)
40	Add when known
082 or 092	Add Dewey number to nonfiction
1XX	Include relationship designator (Example: $e author)
245	Title statement and statement of responsibility
246	Titles with numbers, alternate spellings, split words. Use when relevant.
250	Edition statement if appropriate
264	As complete as possible
300	Physical description
3xx	Follow RDA. Consider adding 336 still image for picture books (Common examples found in Appendix B)
4XX	Transcribe series if present
5XX	Enter the following notes if applicable: 500 - General note 520 - Summary statement 521 - Audience 505 - Contents 588 - Source of description if applicable 504 - Bibliography note
6XX	Use at least one controlled LC subject heading and additional headings as appropriate. Include juvenile subheadings as appropriate. Consider including 65x field with Young adult fiction or Young adult literature. Use at least one 655 LC genre heading. Consider use of local subjects or genres as appropriate
7XX	Use relationship designators when appropriate. (Example: $e illustrator.)
8XX	If series is traced

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