Modern materials cataloging at the Folger

In addition to its expansive historical resources, the Folger also maintains a sizable collection of modern materials. These include scholarly works, reference resources, ongoing monographic series, and current periodicals (mainly found in the open stacks on Deck B); audiovisual materials and microfilm; and rare modern books, designated for their production quality or rarity, or for their value as artifacts of Shakespeareana (such as the Sh.Misc. collection).

Open stacks

The majority of the Folger's open stacks collections are located on Deck B; items can also be found in the Reading Room or offices in the Central Library. These items, mostly monographs and serials, can be checked out by readers and staff.

When adding new materials, search Hamnet and OCLC first to check for existing records. If records are found, refer to the copy cataloging guidelines to determine whether they can be added to the catalog. For materials that require original cataloging, follow available best practices and refer to Folgerpedia pages on specific formats and collections (as they become available) for local practice.

Audiovisual materials

Audiovisual materials may be standalone works (such as a film in DVD format), or may accompany other items (such as a book with an accompanying CD-ROM). The Folger collection includes VHS tapes, DVDs, records (33, 45, and 78 rpm), reel-to-reel tapes(?), cassette tapes, and CD-ROMs.

Serials, compilations, and offprints

Compilations

Published compilations of essays, articles, or other media are typically treated as open stacks items. For unique compilations, such as post-publication collections of magazine articles, scrapbooks, or other unpublished works, please see the relevant documentation.

Microforms and reproductions

JISC Digital Media provides a helpful guide on the distinction between microfilm and microfiche, while the Northeast Document Conservation Center discusses the merits of microforms as preservation formats.

Microfilm

Microfilm holdings are given call numbers based on whether they were created at the Folger or by an external vendor or institution.

If the microfilm was created at/by the Folger, the film is given a sequential "Film Fo." number:

 FILM Fo. 112.8a 

If the manuscript was created at/by an external institution or vendor, it is accessioned and given a sequential "Film Acc." number:

Film Acc. 539

(The capitalization of "Film" in the call number has varied over time, and may appear in all capitals, or with only an initial capital.)

If the Folger holds the manuscript from which the microfilm was reproduced, an "Additional Physical Form available" note should be added in the MARC 530 field of the manuscript.

530  ‡a Also available on microfilm.

Microfiche and slides

Microfiche holdings are given sequential numbers as they are acquired and accessioned.

Microfiche 36

Reproductions

Reproductions may be photocopies created from microfilms, or reprints of early or public-domain works, published by a modern entity. In the latter case, they are cataloged separately for their designated location at the Folger; see DS465 .B57 2010 for an example.

Vault modern

Books cataloged as "Vault modern" may go into the general rare collection (the Cage section), or into specific collections depending on their format and content.

Sh.Col.

Though the bulk of items in the Shakespeare Collection have already been fully cataloged, a small number of items are still being added to it, and records expanded for others. As of August 2014, these mainly consist of collections of sonnets, some teaching editions, and translations of Shakespeare's works. Shakespeare Collection shelfmarks were previously formulated as LC call numbers.

 PR2821 .A155 Sh.Col 

Call numbers for Sh.Col. translations follow a locally-modified LC scheme, and are mainly grouped under PR2796.

 PR2796 .C9 1856-1873 Sh.Col. 

However, newly-cataloged Sh.Col. items are given accession number-based shelfmarks.

 Sh.Col. 268- 300q 

Sh.Misc.

The Sh.Misc. ("miscellaneous") collection is composed of artifacts of Shakespereana and other materials that demonstrate the influence of Shakespeare upon popular culture. Items include calendars and almanacs, comic books and graphic novels, toys and games, books of quotations, works of fiction about Shakespeare and Shakesperean figures, and other Shakespearean ephemera.

Sh.Misc. items are given call numbers in sequence, e.g.

 Sh.Misc. 1064 

 Sh.Misc. 2186 v.8 

Other rare modern items

Other rare materials that are handled by modern catalogers include some pieces of realia, screenplays, programs, and modern publications that are classified as ART Vols.