ALRC Cataloguing Policy Sheet
Photobooks [DRAFT]
Created: 5/06/2021
Revised:
Definition
Per the Getty’s Art and Architectural Thesaurus, photobooks are defined as “Books...in which the essential information is conveyed through a collection of photographic images. These may be authored by one or more artists or photographers, or arranged by an editor. Generally the images in a photobook are meant to be viewed in context, as parts of a larger whole. Most often used to refer to mechanically reproduced and commercially distributed works.” Photobooks as an artform are closely related to artists’ books albeit with a usual emphasis on photography as the medium and more typically reliant on commercial binding and printing techniques. Text is usually minimal or absent. A particular photobook may violate one or another of these defining traits or intentionally depart from traditional forms yet through the strength of its other characteristics still convince the reader of it’s identity as a photobook.
Selection and Identification
Items that qualify for cataloging as photobooks may be selected or identified by several staff including the Chief of the ALRC, Head of Library Services, Senior Library Assistant for Collections and Acquisitions Support, and the Cisneros Bibliographer. The Head of Library Services will have the final authority and all questions and disputes should be referred to her.
Items to be cataloged as photobooks may be given directly to the cataloging staff but more typically should be placed on specifically labeled “to be catalogued” shelves at both MoMA Midtown and QNS.
Cataloging
[Note: when taking copy from WorldCat/Connexion, modify the record according to the following instructions if necessary.]
● Catalog in accordance with applicable national standards and past MoMA practice for books of photography.
Particularly:
● Include 600 field(s) for name of photographer(s).
● Include the genre/form heading, 655 _7 $a Photobooks. $2 lcgft
DO NOT subdivide geographically, chronologically, or any other way
● DO NOT apply any additional form/genre headings
Classifiication
Assign LC Classification number (or accept LC number from copy) again in concordance with practices for any other book of photography. Most LC numbers will fall in the TR range, but others may be classed by geographic location or other topics as determined by the primary subject headings.
Location
All items designated and cataloged as photobooks will be shelved as special collections. Assign item location Special Collections (mms), Special Collections Oversize (mmso), or Special Collections Flat (mmsf). These locations are by default non-circulating.
Processing
DO NOT affix barcode or other labels directly to the book. Instead, insert slip with attached barcode into book.
Check out to MYLARMAN or MYLARQ [1] and place on the appropriately labeled shelf for the [processor?] for housing and labelling.
Housing
All photobooks will be housed in mylar covers with the barcode adhered to the back inside flap and a spine label applied in accordance with standard practice. See [guidelines for labeling]. As with much of the collection, occasional items will justify phase boxes or more elaborate housing or encasing for proper shelving and preservation. Head of Library Services will make the final determination in such instances.
Exceptions
Some photobooks may share significant characteristics with items usually identified as artists’ books. Regardless of this similarity, staff responsible for selection and identification will make the best or most appropriate choice of which category the item should be catalogued as and in which collection/stacks location the item should be shelved and the Head of Library Services will have the final say.
VERY RARELY, the item’s overlap between its qualities as a photobook and its qualities as an artists’ book may justify additional description, such as the addition of 655 _7 $a Artists’ books. $2 lcgft and additional headings for specific production and production techniques. Cataloging staff may suggest this additional description but the Head of Library Services or the Head of Metadata and Systems will make the final determination as to its appropriateness. The cataloger should be parsimonious and focus description on the major or primary category into which the item falls.
Will likely be reconsidered as we reconfigure patron accounts in Alma.