Full best practices at: https://alair.ala.org/handle/11213/18623
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The phrase "chiefly illustrations" is no longer allowed in the 300 field under current RDA rules
Add a note if something about the illustrations feels important (I have never done this, so I’m not even sure what this would look like)
Ex: 300 __ $a 434 pages : $b color illustrations ; $c 28 cm
All graphic novels, graphic nonfiction and comics get two 336 fields
336 __ $a text $b txt $2 rdacontent AND
336 __ $a still image $b sti $2 rdacontent
Add I always add a 380 for form of work if you canfrom the LC Genre Form Terms. You may or may not see these in copy cataloging records
Ex: 380 __ $a Documentary comics $2 lcgft
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Add a 586 if the comic won an award!
Subject headings & genre terms
Per Library of Congress Subject Heading Manual instruction H 1430 section 2c, the LCSH form subdivision $v Comic books, strips, etc. is used for both fiction and nonfiction works
Make sure that $v Comic books, strips, etc. subdivides many of the subject headings
Because comics are not always seen as obvious sources for research, please review to be sure that there is more than one subject heading. We want to be proactive and provide as many access points as possible so that students can find the materials for subjects that they are interested in
655 _7
There should be multiple genre terms describing what kind of graphic novel or comics the title is. This helps readers find more of the kinds of comics they are looking for. If the book is covering a tricky topic, or if it has only one subject heading and no genre terms, save for a librarian to review
Local practices
Call numbers for fiction
If the title in hand does not have a call number, assign a call number under starting with the country of origin of the comic, then author. The countries listed below are ones we purchase in widely:
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A full number will be created as:
$a Comic_by_country_of_origin.Author last name _lastname_Cutter $b Title_Cutter Year
Ex of title: Mile end by Michel Hellman (a Canadian : I morti non prendono l'ascensore by Icaro Tuttle (Italian language graphic novel)
050 _4 $a PN6733PN6767.H45 T88 $b M54 2011M67 2023
Call numbers for nonfiction
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If a title in hand already has a call number, you do not need to review or verify. Just keep things simple and use it, even if it does not conform to our guidelines. If you truly believe something is in error, set aside for a librarian with a precise note as to what you believe the problem might be.
Location information
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UM Science Graphic Medicine (USGM)
Use for science graphic novels and comics
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related to health or medicine
SEL is using a very broad definition of “health or medicine” so if we have a question about the location, we will need to reach out to Ellen Lutz directly to clarify
UM Science & Engineering Library (USGEN)
Use for science graphic novels about all other science topics that are NOT health or medicine
UM W.E.B Du Bois General Collections (UMGEN)
Use for all world language comics, except Chinese, Japanese or Korean
Do not put any graphic novels or comics into the Near East collection (UNEA), even if it is in a UNEA language
Note: manga and other comics in Chinese, Japanese or Korean go to the appropriate East Asian collection