Cataloging Cultural Objects

Library Journal

The fine art of cataloging has a long history distinguished by an array of theories and basic concepts but always seeking a means to identify and codify the elements of physical description and content. Working without guidelines creates a Babel-like cacophony, useful to none and confusing to most. In this era of immediate access to visual artifacts, it has become vital to develop an intellectually responsible guide to the cataloging of cultural objects with an eye to standardizing the descriptive process, ensuring accessible terminology, and allowing for an ease of information storage and retrieval. With this reference, the Visual Resources Association, representing a cross section of heritage experts along with reviewers from many institutions, has sought to establish a set of categories (metadata) designed for the community of those seeking to describe and document works of art, architecture, prints, manuscripts, and other cultural artifacts and images, with the primary emphasis on descriptive information and authority control. The "General Guidelines" section supplies a road map and asks the basic questions facing every cataloger: What is it that is being cataloged? How much information should be included? What is the purpose of the database being created? The format outlined here is close to that of AACR(Anglo-American Cataloging Rules) with major headings, subsets of rules, and examples; Part 2 deals with elements; and Part 3 with authority control, each in hierarchical form. The application of each of these is flexible enough to allow for the fine-tuning necessary for individual institutions, while the structure provides a solid framework not previously available.Baca (Getty Vocabulary Program) and colleagues have created an essential cataloging tool and an important contribution to the professional literature.
—Paula Frosch