What to Put at the Ends of Call Numbers
Written by David Prochàzka
For Numbers:
Whenever possible, base the abbreviation on the terminology that's on the item itself. If no terminology is used on the item, use "v." or "no." For unlabeled numbering schemes with several layers, use your judgment. Often, the following will work: "v." followed by "no." followed by "pt." if necessary. For example, if an item is identified as VI/4/f, label it v.6, no.4, pt.f.
Having said that, there's no reason to re-label materials already done adequately. Nor is there a reason to make major changes mid-stream; this tends to confuse everyone. If existing materials have been labeled consistently and logically, go with what's been done. Remember that much of the information transferred from our old on-line system shows up in all caps. This doesn't mean that the piece is actually labeled that way, nor that new items should be labeled that way.
| USE: | FOR: |
|---|---|
| Abt. | Abteilung or Abtheilung or their plurals |
| Bd. | Band or Bande |
| c. | Copy |
| fasc. | fascicle or fascicule or their plurals |
| fol. | folio or folios |
| Jahrg. | Jahrgang or Jahrgangen |
| no. | nombor or nomor or number or numbers or numero or their plurals |
| Nr. | Nummer or Nummers |
| op. | Opus |
| pt. | part or parte or partie or their plurals |
| ser. | série or series |
| suppl. | supplement or supplements |
| T. | Teil or Theil or their plurals |
| t. | tome or tomo or their plurals |
| v. | volume or volumes |
For other numbering terms, use the abbreviations in AACR2 Appendix B.9-B.15.
For Words:
When you need to include a word at the end of a call number, use the term given on the material itself, if it is not too cumbersome. For example, "guide" could be used for materials called "teacher's guide," and "manual" could typically be used to label a "practitioner's manual." English words are all lower case, for example: atlas, guide, handbook, libretto, lyrics, manual, map, or notes.
Typically prefer spelled out words, e.g. "compact disc" and "video- cassette." However, if the material needs to be numbered (say there are several accompanying videocassettes or compact discs), abbreviations are probably better to use, e.g. "Video 1" or "VHS 3," "CD 7" or "CDs 2-3." Try to be consistent for a given title. However, don't worry about consistency between titles.