Genre/Form Terms
Introduction
This list of form/genre terms was compiled by Manuscript Unit archivists for use in 655 fields.
The terms are primarily from the following thesauri:
- Getty Research Institute, Art and Architecture Thesaurus (aat)
- Library of Congress, Subject Headings (lcsh)
- ACRL/ALA, Rare Books and Manuscripts Section, Binding Terms (rbbin)
- ACRL/ALA, Rare Books and Manuscripts Section, Genre Terms (rbgenr)
Other terms from standard thesauri may also be used.
Some terms listed here that are not found in standard thesauri are indicated by ‡2 local.
Consult the unit cataloging coordinators before using local terms not on this list.
Consult the controlled vocabulary for changes to genre terms. Cataloging coordinators review genre and form terms occasionally and update any changed terms, but in cases where the term in this supplement and the term in the thesaurus do not match, use the updated term according to the thesaurus. Cataloging coordinators can also update outdated terms upon request.
Do not use genre/form terms for types of material commonly found in collections of personal or literary papers, such as correspondence, letters, or galley proofs.
Other terms that are not used are indicated with a “see” reference to a related term. “See also” references indicate narrower, broader, or other related terms.
A few terms, indicated with *, have been used to assist staff in managing preservation priorities.
Subdivide 655 headings by ‡z [place] and ‡y [century], as appropriate.
Last major revision completed by Stephanie Bredbenner, 2019 October.
General Terms
Account books. ‡2 aat
Use for the following:
- Day books (accounting records)
- Journals (accounts)
Addresses
See: Speeches
Albums (books) ‡2 aat
Use for forms of albums not otherwise more appropriately described by any of the more specific terms listed below:
- Autograph albums
- Photograph albums (also in photographic terms list)
- Scrapbooks
See also: Signatures (names)
Annual reports. ‡2 aat
Use especially in WA.
Appointment books.
See: Diaries
Architectural drawings (visual works) ‡2 aat
See also: Blueprints (reprographic copies)
Armorial bindings (Binding) ‡2 rbbin
Use for armorial bindings.
Armorial bindings (Provenance). ‡2 rbbin
Use in addition to Armorial bindings (Binding) when ownership is known.
Articles.
See: Newspaper clippings.
Articles of incorporation. ‡2 aat
Artifacts (object genre) ‡2 aat
- Use for 3-dimensional artifacts, including souvenirs, or use a more specific term, if appropriate.
- For printed souvenirs, however, use printed ephemera.
Assessment books
See: Tax records
Audiovisual materials. ‡2 aat
Autobiographies (literary works) ‡2 aat
Use for
- Memoirs
- Reminiscences
Clarify the nature of the work (i.e., a memoir, an autobiographical sketch, a reminiscence) in
the 520.
Autograph albums. ‡2 aat
See also: Signatures (names)
See also: Scrapbooks
Autographs
See: Signatures (names)
See also: Autograph albums
Awards. ‡2 aat
See also: Certificates
Baccalaureate addresses. ‡2 rbgenr
Baccalaureate sermons. ‡2 rbgenr
Baptismal registers. ‡2 aat
See also: Church records
Bibliographies.
Do not use. Instead, use an LCSH heading subdivided by ‡v Bibliographies.
Billheads. ‡2 aat
Bills (Legislative records) ‡2 aat
Bills of lading. ‡2 aat
See also: Ships’ papers
Binders (Binding) ‡x [Name.] ‡2 local
Also use:
- 700 1_ ‡a [Name] ‡e binder.
- 710 1_ ‡a [Name] ‡e binder.
Binders’ instructions (Binding) ‡2 rbbin
Binders’ stamps (Binding) ‡x [Name.] ‡2 local
Also use:
- 700 1_ ‡a [Name] ‡e binder.
- 710 1_ ‡a [Name] ‡e binder.
Binders’ tickets (Binding) ‡x [Name.] ‡2 local
Also use:
- 700 1_ ‡a [Name] ‡e binder.
- 710 1_ ‡a [Name] ‡e binder.
Binding terms
See terms above and Armorial bindings
Biographies. (literary works) ‡2 aat
Bird’s-eye views. ‡2 aat
Birth certificates. ‡2 aat
See also: Vital statistics records
Blueprints (reprographic copies) ‡2 aat *
Used for internal management purposes–Preservation priority.
Use Architectural drawings (visual works) for general reference/descriptive purposes.
Bookplates. ‡2 aat
Booksellers’ advertisements. ‡2 rbgenr
Booksellers’ catalogs. ‡2 rbgenr
Booksellers’ labels (Provenance) ‡x [Name]. ‡2 local
Booksellers’ stamps (Provenance) ‡x [Name]. ‡2 local
Born digital. ‡2 aat
Use for files off computer disks and other media formats containing data originating in digital form.
See also: Electronic documents
See also: Electronic mail
See also: Digital images
See also: Storage devices (computer equipment)
Broadsides (notices) ‡2 aat
See also: Handbills
Business records. ‡2 aat
Bylaws (administrative records) ‡2 aat
Captivity narratives. ‡2 rbgenr
Used especially for WA.
Cartoons (humorous images). ‡2 aat
See also: Political cartoons
Case files. ‡2 aat
Catalogs (documents) ‡2 aat
See: Exhibition catalogs
Used especially for GEN.
Census records. ‡2 aat
See also: Vital statistics records
Certificates. ‡2 aat
Use for certificates awards and certificates of appreciation.
See also: Awards
See also: Diplomas
Charters. ‡2 aat
Church records. ‡2 aat
See also: Baptismal registers
Clippings (information artifacts) ‡2 aat
Use for formal clipping files, not isolated clippings or unarranged, miscellaneous clippings.
Commissions.
See: Military records
Commonplace books. ‡2 aat
Conveyances. ‡2 aat
Use for property conveyances.
Cookbooks. ‡2 aat
County government records. ‡2 aat
Court records
See: Judicial records
Cryptograms. ‡2 rbgenr
Currency
See: Money (objects)
Day books
See: Account books
See: Diaries
Death certificates. ‡2 aat
See also: Vital statistics records
Deeds. ‡2 aat
Diaries. ‡2 aat
Use for the following:
- Appointment books
- Day books (personal calendars, not financial accounts)
- Journals (personal narratives)
See also: Maritime journals
See also: Overland journals
Specify character of diary content in 520
Dictionaries. ‡2 aat
Use only for other than English and Western European languages (e.g. Native American).
Use for glossaries.
Digital images. ‡2 aat
See also: Born digital
Digital prints. ‡2 aat
Diplomas. ‡2 aat
See also: Certificates
Drawings. (visual works) ‡2 aat
See also: Architectural drawings (visual works)
See also: Sketchbooks
See also: Sketches
Electronic documents. ‡2 local
Use for files off computer disks or other media formats containing non born digital data of unidentified origin.
See also: Born digital
See also: Electronic mail
Electronic mail. ‡2 aat
See also: Born digital
Erotica. ‡2 aat
Eulogies (documents) ‡2 aat
Exhibition catalogs. ‡2 aat
Family papers. ‡2 aat
Federal government records. ‡2 aat
Field notes. ‡2 aat
Forgeries (derivative objects) ‡2 aat
Genealogies. (histories) ‡2 aat
Use for family trees and and other genealogical listings.
Glossaries
See: Dictionaries
Government records.
See: Federal government records
See: Judicial records
See: State government records
See: Tax records
See: Territorial records
See: Vital statistics records
See: Voters’ lists
Greeting cards. ‡2 aat
Use only for substantial amounts of early or fine press items.
Handbills. ‡2 aat
See also: Broadsides (notices)
See also: Playbills
Hymns. ‡2 aat
Indentures. ‡2 aat
Inkjet prints. ‡2 aat
Interviews. ‡2 aat
See also: Oral histories (literary works)
Inventories. ‡2 aat
Journals (accounts)
See: Account books
Journals (personal narratives)
See: Diaries
See: Maritime journals
See: Overland journals
Judicial records. ‡2 aat
Use for court records
Juvenilia (object genre) ‡2 aat
Use for material created by children
Land grants. ‡2 aat
Use for Patents (land).
Used especially by WA.
Laws. (documents) ‡2 aat
Leases. ‡2 aat
Lecture notes. ‡2 aat
Lectures. ‡2 aat
Use for classroom lectures.
See also: Speeches (documents)
Ledgers.
See: Account books
Legal documents. ‡2 aat
For general documents.
See also: Legal instruments
Legal instruments. ‡2 aat
Use for documents that express a legal act.
See also terms such as:
- Articles of incorporation
- Bylaws (administrative records)
- Charters
- Conveyances
- Deeds
- Land grants
- Leases
- Treaties
- Wills
Letterheads. ‡2 gmgpc
Use only for pictorial letterheads.
For California or other early Western Americana, consult with the curator to determine if the
printed component should be cataloged separately.
See also: Pictorial lettersheets
Letterpress copybooks. ‡2 aat *
Used for internal management purposes–preservation priority.
Used especially by WA.
Library catalogs. ‡2 rbgenr
Lithographs. ‡2 aat
Little magazines. ‡2 aat
Local histories. ‡2 rbgenr
Used especially by WA.
Manuscript maps. ‡2 lcgft
Always use when manuscript maps are present.
More specific terms can be added at cataloger’s discretion.
Maps. ‡2 lcgft
If the map is a manuscript map, always use Manuscript maps.
More specific terms can be added at cataloger’s discretion.
Maritime journals. ‡2 rbgenr
Marriage certificates. ‡2 aat
See also: Vital statistics records
Membership lists. ‡2 aat
Memoirs. ‡2 aat
See: Autobiographies (literary works)
Memorial works. ‡2 gmgpc
Use for prints, cards, or other visual items produced in memory of a deceased person.
Do not use for mourning stationery.
See also: Eulogies (documents)
See also: Obituaries
Microforms. ‡2 aat
Military records. ‡2 aat
Use for orders, commissions, and other military documents.
Minutes (administrative records) ‡2 aat
Money (objects) ‡2 aat
Use for paper or coin currency.
Money orders. ‡2 aat
Motion pictures (visual works) ‡2 aat
Municipal government records. ‡2 aat
Musical works
Previously used for notated music.
Instead use:
- 006 for print or manuscript music
- 650 for type of composition
- Other 650s as appropriate.
See also: Sheet music covers
Newspaper clippings. ‡2 aat
Notes or Notebooks.
See: Field notes
See: Lecture notes
Obituaries. ‡2 aat
Occasional addresses. ‡2 rbgenr
Oil paintings (visual works) ‡2 aat
Oral histories (literary works) ‡2 aat
See also: Interviews
Orders
See: Military records
Overland journals ‡y [date]. ‡2 rbgenr
Used especially by WA.
Paintings (visual works) ‡2 aat
See also: Oil paintings (visual works)
Pamphlets. ‡2 aat
Used for printed works.
May also need to be cataloged by RBC.
Passenger lists. ‡2 aat
Used especially by WA.
Passports. ‡2 aat
Pastels (visual works). ‡2 aat
Patents (land)
See: Land grants
Penmanship specimen books. ‡2 rbgenr
Petitions. ‡2 aat
Used especially by WA.
Pictorial lettersheets. ‡2 lctgm
Use for letters written on the verso of illustrated paper.
For California or other early Western Americana, consult with the curator to determine if the printed component should be cataloged separately.
See also: Letterheads
Playbills. ‡2 aat
Playscripts
See: Scripts (documents)
Political cartoons. ‡2 aat
Portraits. ‡2 aat
Used especially by WA.
Postcards. ‡2 aat
Used especially by WA.
Posters. ‡2 aat
Used especially by WA.
Prayer books. ‡2 aat
See also: Prayers (literary works)
Prayers (literary works) ‡2 aat
See also: Prayer books
Printed ephemera. ‡2 aat
Use for substantial amounts of printed ephemera and for individual items with high
research value.
See also: Bookplates
See also: Theater programs
Proclamations. ‡2 aat
Programs (documents) ‡2 aat
See also: Theater programs
Property conveyances
See: Conveyances
Radio scripts. ‡2 aat
Receipts (financial records) ‡2 aat
Regimental histories. ‡2 rbgenr
Reminiscences.
See: Autobiographies (literary works)
Reviews (documents) ‡2 aat
Samizdat. ‡2 rbgenr
Scrapbooks. ‡2 aat
See also: Albums (books)
See also: Autograph albums
See also: Photograph albums
Screenplays. ‡2 rbgenr
See also: Scripts (documents)
Scripts (documents) ‡2 aat
Use for Play scripts
See also: Screenplays
See also: Radio scripts
See also: Television scripts
Sermons. ‡2 aat
See also: Baccalaureate sermons
See also: Eulogies (documents)
Sheet music covers. ‡2 gmgpc
Use for illustrated covers.
Printed works may also be cataloged separately.
Ships’ logs. ‡2 aat
See also: Ships’ papers
Ships’ papers. ‡2 aat
See also: Ships’ logs
See also: Bills of lading
Signatures (names) ‡2 aat
Previously autographs. Use only for collections of loose autographs, not for isolated autographs.
See also: Autograph albums
Sketchbooks. ‡2 aat
Used especially by WA.
See also: Drawings (visual works)
See also: Sketches
Sketches. ‡2 aat
See also: Cartoons (humorous images)
See also: Drawings (visual works)
See also: Sketchbooks
Sound recordings. ‡2 aat
Souvenirs.
See: Artifacts (object genre) (for 3-dimensional realia)
See: Printed ephemera (for printed items)
Speeches (documents) ‡2 aat
See also: Baccalaureate addresses
See also: Baccalaureate sermons
See also: Lectures
See also: Occasional addresses
See also: Sermons
State government records. ‡2 aat
Storage devices (computer equipment) ‡2 aat
See also: Born digital
Tax records. ‡2 aat
Use for assessment books and other government records related to tax collection.
Television scripts. ‡2 aat
Territorial records. ‡2 aat
Testimonies. ‡2 aat
Use for court testimony
Theater programs. ‡2 aat
Treaties. ‡2 aat
Trial proceedings. ‡2 rbgenr
Triptychs. ‡2 aat
Video recordings (physical artifacts) ‡2 aat
Viewbooks. ‡2 aat
Used especially by WA
Visitors’ books. ‡2 aat
Vital statistics records. ‡2 aat
Used for compilations of birth, marriage and death statistics.
See also: Birth certificates
See also: Census records
See also: Death certificates
See also: Marriage certificates
Voters’ lists. ‡2 aat
Watercolors (paintings) ‡2 aat
Wills. ‡2 aat
Photographic terms
Terms are grouped by type.
Most terms are from the following thesauri:
- Library of Congress Subject Headings (lcsh)
- Art and Architecture Thesaurus (aat)
- Library of Congress Thesaurus for Graphic Materials (lctgm)
- Descriptive Terms for Graphic Materials: Genre and Physical Characteristic Headings (gmgpc)
Albumen prints. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Ambrotypes (photographs) ‡2 aat
Cabinet photographs. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Card photograph albums. ‡2 gmgpc
Used for carte-de-visite albums.
Also use: Cartes-de-visite (card photographs)
Card photographs (photographs) ‡2 aat
Includes photonegatives and unmounted photoprints intended for standard mounts.
Also use: Photographic prints
Cartes-de-visite (card photographs) ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Collodion prints. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Cyanotypes (photographic prints) ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Daguerreotypes (photographs) ‡2 aat
Digital prints. ‡2 aat
Use for digitally-printed material printed from digital image files of photographs and computer generated
artwork.
Always use with a more specific term such as:
Dye diffusion thermal transfer prints
Electrophotographic prints
Inkjet prints
Dye diffusion thermal transfer prints. ‡2 aat
Use in addition to Digital prints
Electrophotographic prints. ‡2 aat
Use in addition to Digital prints
Film negatives. ‡2 gmgpc
Gelatin silver prints. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Glass negatives. ‡2 gmgpc
Group portraits. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Half stereographs. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Inkjet prints. ‡2 aat
Use in addition to Digital prints
Lantern slides. ‡2 aat
Negatives. ‡2 gmgpc
See also: Film negatives. ‡2 gmgpc
See also: Glass negatives. ‡2 gmgpc
Panoramas. ‡2 aat
Use for panoramas made with panoramic cameras and those made from joined photos.
Also use: Panoramic photographs
Also use: Photographic prints
Panoramic photographs. ‡2 gmgpc
Use for panoramas made with panoramic cameras and those made from joined photos.
Also use: Panoramas
Also use: Photographic prints
Photograph albums. ‡2 aat
Also use one or more terms for photographic processes held within, as appropriate.
Photographic prints. ‡2 aat
Use for photographs on paper when the process is not identified.
Photographs. ‡2 aat
Always use when photographs are present, in addition to more specific terms at cataloger’s discretion.
Platinum prints. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Projectors. ‡2 gmgpc
Salted paper prints. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Scrapbooks. ‡2 aat
Use for albums that contain material in addition to photographs.
Slides (photographs) ‡2 aat
See also: Lantern slides
Snapshots. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Souvenir viewbooks. ‡2 gmgpc
Use for commercially produced views in book form.
Also use: Photographic prints
Stereographs. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Studio portraits. ‡2 aat
Also use: Photographic prints
Tintypes (photographs) ‡2 aat