口述历史编目

Cataloguing Oral Histories

编目是使信息资源具有可用性的必要步骤。由于口述历史属于存储介质复杂的智力资源,因此其编目比普通资料的编目更为复杂。编目员必须借鉴书本、手稿和视听资料的标准来恰当地描述这些重要的资源。文章分析了口述历史的编目过程,并指出了其特殊考虑之处。此外,还提供了可适用于个别机构的实用编目技巧。尽管编目的总体原则是全球通用的,但本文所描述的标准和做法是基于作者在美国的计算机环境下作为口述历史学家和编目员的经验而形成的,不过它们可以很容易地被应用于世界各地的图书馆和档案馆。

Cataloging is an essential step in making information resources available for use. Since oral histories are complex physical and intellectual resources, cataloging oral histories is more complicated than cataloging ordinary materials. Catalogers must draw on standards for books, manuscripts, and audiovisual materials to describe these important resources properly. This paper breaks down the process of cataloging oral histories and addresses the special considerations that are necessary to do a good job. In addition, it offers practical tips for cataloging that can be adapted to individual institutions. Though cataloging principles are universal, the standards and practices described here are based on the author’s experience as an oral historian and cataloger in the United States in a computerized environment. They can easily be adapted to libraries and archives around the world.