3XX

300

300 subfield ‡a

300 subfield ‡b

300 subfield ‡c

33x

300 (Physical Description)

Required for all records.

Use one of the following types of physical description:

Collections: container count in ‡a.

Examples:

300 ‡a 0.21 ‡f linear feet (1 box)

300 ‡a 4.23 ‡f linear feet (4 boxes)

Single items, or optionally for collections: item count, genre terms, and measurement, using subfields as shown below.

• Optionally, describe parts of a collection using multiple 300s, of either or both types.
• Together, all 300s must account for total collection contents, without overlapping.
• Describe material not accounted for in 008 Dates, 245, and 300 in an “Accompanied by” statement in 520 or 500.
• If stored in more than one container, include a count of containers at the end of ‡c, or in 500 note.

300 subfield ‡a (extent)

• Enter an item count followed by one of the following terms, in singular or plural.
• When appropriate, use multiple counts and terms.
• Optionally, estimate count, using “circa.”

Photograph includes:

• Digitally-printed photographs
• Stereographs (1 stereograph = 1 photograph)

Print includes:

• Photomechanical prints of non-photographic originals
• Digitally-printed images of non-photographic originals, such as computer generated artwork

Drawing includes

• Blueprints

Painting

Sculpture

Picture   

• Use only if one of the above is not appropriate

Item     

•   Use for printing plates; otherwise, use only if one of the above is not appropriate

When appropriate, continue with a count and type of carrier, using standard terms such as:

• in 1 album
• in 1 scrapbook
• in 2 sketchbooks
• in 1 volume
• on 1 sheet
• on 1 CD
• on 2 CDs
• forming 1 panorama

300 subfield ‡b (other physical details)

• Precede subfield ‡b with a colon.
• When appropriate, record physical characteristics such as medium, support, or type of photograph, print, or digital file, using standard terms such as the following:

For photographs:

• daguerreotype
• tintype
• print
• photomechanical print
• negative
• digital
• inkjet print
• electrophotographic print
• dye diffusion thermal transfer print

Optionally, use specific terms such as:

• black and white print
• color print
• salted paper print
• cyanotype print
• albumen print
• hand-colored…
• on [support]
• on [support], mounted on [support]
• nitrate film negative
• safety film negative
• glass negative
• digital, TIFF [file size]
• digital, JPEG [file size]
• dye inkjet print
• pigment inkjet print
• mixed dye/pigment inkjet print

For prints:

• engraving
• lithograph
• inkjet
• electrophotograph
• dye diffusion thermal transfer

Optionally, use specific terms such as:

• etching
• wood engraving
• chromolithograph
• hand-colored

For drawings:

• pen and ink
• pencil

For paintings:

• watercolor
• oil on canvas

300 subfield ‡c (Dimensions)

• Precede subfield ‡c with a semi-colon.
• Do not use for digital files; instead optionally indicate file size in ‡b.
• Identify the area measured, using standard terms such as:
  • sheet
  • film
  • plate
  • plate mark
  • mount image
  • image and text
  • visible image
  • album
  • scrapbook
  • volume
• Record measurement as height x width.
• Generally, round up to the nearest centimeter, using “cm” Optionally, record in millimeters, using “mm”
• When appropriate, qualify with “and smaller.”
• If items are mounted or framed, provide the measurements of both the mounts and the frames.

• Optionally, follow the measurement with a format term in parentheses, using standard terms such as:
  • (postcard format)
  • (poster format)
  • (roll format)
  • (8 x 10 format)
  • (4 x 5 format)
  • (stereograph format)
  • (slide format)
  • (lantern slide format)

• For daguerreotypes ambrotypes, and tintypes:
  • Imperial or mammoth plate larger than 6 ½” x 8 ½”
  • Whole plate plate 6 ½ x 8 ½ in.
  • Half plate ½ in. ¼ ½ in. ¼ x 5 ½ in.
  • Quarter plate 3 ¼ x 4 ¼ in.
  • Sixth plate 2 ¾ x 3 ¼ in.
  • Ninth plate 2 x 2 ½ in.
  • Sixteenth plate 1 ⅜ x 1 ⅜ in.

Required for all records.

336 (Content type)

337 (Media type)

338 (Carrier type)

For photographs, drawings, or other art on paper, use the following standard subfields:

336 __ ‡a still image ‡2 rdacontent

337 __ ‡a unmediated ‡2 rdamedia

338 __ ‡a sheet ‡2 rdacarrier

For photograph albums and similar volumes, use the following standard subfields:

336 __ ‡a still image ‡2 rdacontent

337 __ ‡a unmediated ‡2 rdamedia

338 __ ‡a volume ‡2 rdacarrier

For oil paintings or other works on any material mounted on stretchers and framed, use the following standard subfields:

336 __ ‡a still image ‡2 rdacontent

337 __ ‡a unmediated ‡2 rdamedia

338 __ ‡a other ‡2 rdacarrier

For sculpture or other three-dimensional works, use the following standard subfields:

336 __ ‡a three-dimensional form ‡2 rdacontent

337 __ ‡a unmediated ‡2 rdamedia

338 __ ‡a object ‡2 rdacarrier

• If the carrier type or types applicable to the resource being described cannot be readily ascertained, record unspecified.

• Use other terms in subfield ‡a when appropriate, such as:

  • 337 (Media type): projected, stereographic

  • 338 (Carrier type): computer disc, film roll, film strip, slide

Complete lists of terms are in the RDA tookit:

• Content: section 6.9.1.3
• Media: section 3.2.1.3
• Carrier: section 3.3.1.3