“OW” Level of Copy


Introduction
Non-Literature Literature

Introduction

The “ow” level of copy is for books catalogued using the Full-Level OCLC-Member Editing Guidelines (Books Format) that meet one or more of the criteria listed below.  It also applies to OCLC-member serials records that meet one or more of the relevant criteria listed below, as clarified further in the "Serials Cataloging with OCLC Member Level Copy" guidelines.

Terminology:

LC Classification (class) number:
Should represent the topic or primary topic of the work.  It functions to group together works on the same topic.  It includes the entire 050 $a or 090 $a subfield portion of the call number, including the first of two cutters when two are present.  Some examples:

DS 495(Nepal:  general works on its history to 1768)
QL 76(zoos:  general works about them)
F 2849.22 .G85(Argentina:  history from 1955 to the present; biographies about Ernesto “Che” Guevara)

In some cases, when a second cutter reflects a subject focus (e.g., a place or the subject of a biography), the first part of the second cutter also functions as part of the class number.  An example:

call numberHX 315.7 .A8 $b K47 1997
main entrySnyder, Timothy
subject:Kelles-Krauz, Kazimierz, 1872-1905

In this case, in the class number:

HX 315.7socialism or communism in Poland
A8individual biography
K4(second cutter, first part)the subject of the biography
7(second cutter, end)the main entry

For literature, in place of topic, the class number may represent an aspect of literature such as a literary genre common to all works in that number, literature of a particular place, or works by and about the same literary author.  Some examples:

PS 555U.S. literature:  collections of literature of the Gulf states
PQ 7503Honduran literature:  history and criticism of Honduran drama
PQ 4835 .I7Pirandello, Luigi, 1867-1936:  works by and about him

Please note:  Specific classification numbers are usually not included in the examples below, because the examples are intended only as illustrations of general principles.


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Non-Literature

Use "ow" for:

Please note that the application of these criteria may often involve the use of judgement.  If you are not certain in a given case whether a classification number or subject heading should be changed or whether a record should be coded as “ow,” please consult with the Principal Cataloguer or with your trainer.


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Literature

[to be expanded further]

Use "ow" for:


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Nov. 12, 2001; revised March 13, 2002; revised drafts July 25, 2002, August 21, 2002

HTML document last reviewed:  18 September 2002