Scope: This procedure covers sound recordings processing for all audio recordings except those received directly by LTS Music.
Note: "Audio recording" is RDA vocabulary for what was previously called "sound recording." Similarly, "sound cassette" and "sound disc" are now "audio cassette" and "audio disc."
Contact: Laura Daniels
Unit: Cataloging & Metadata Services
Date last updated: May 2026
Date of next review: April 2027
Audio cassettes or audio discs as main items in a secure manufacturer's case:
1. Single item: Barcode the manufacturer's case. (Exception: If for Olin, Uris, or Asia, use larger DVD case).
2. Multiple items: Barcode the manufacturer's case only. Do not barcode individual cassettes or their containers. Be sure to adjust the "PIECES" count on the item record. (Exception: If for Olin, Uris, or Asia, use larger DVD case).
Audio cassettes or audio discs as main items without a manufacturer's case:
1. Each cassette or disc should have its own plastic container.
2. Barcode each cassette or disc container.
3. If containers are lacking, obtain them from the supply cabinet in Room 111.
Audio cassettes or audio discs as accompanying material in a secure manufacturer's case:
1. Single item: Barcode the manufacturer's case.
2. Multiple items: Barcode the manufacturer's case only. Do not barcode individual cassettes or their containers. Be sure to adjust the Number of pieces count on the item record.
|a 1 audio disc : |b digital ; |c 4 3/4 in.
|a 1 audio disc (38 min., 59 sec.) : |b 33 1/3 rpm, stereo. ; |c 12 in.
|a 1 audio cassette : |b analog
+ |e 1 audio disc (digital ; 4 3/4 in.)
+ |e 1 audio disc (digital, MP3 file ; 3 1/8 in.)
+ |e 1 audio cassette
Inserts that are laid in the container are not considered accompanying material, and should not be considered for item record creation or piece counts. Catalogers should leave them in place for handling by public services staff. If there is any question about whether the material is significant enough to warrant different treatment, consult your supervisor.
Location: afr
Call number: Accession number (Use FOLIO Call number generator): Call number: Cassette 3 ; Call number: Sound disc 1
Barcoding: Follow general barcoding guidelines in this procedure
Physical Processing: Write the call number on a scrap card or the location flyer and send item to Physical Processing
Africana Library: Accompanying cassette/disc
Audio cassettes or discs issued as accompanying material are stored separately from the main item in individual plastic containers. Thus, if the book and audio cassettes or discs are issued in a manufacturer's paper sleeve or case, discard the sleeve or case and provide clear plastic containers for each item
Location: afr
Call number: LC-type for main item. Accession number for accompanying cassette or disc
Barcoding: Follow general barcoding guidelines in this procedure
Physical Processing: Pencil the LC-styele call number on the main text and the accession number onto a scrap card and send items to Physical Processing
Holdings notes: Request disc at Circulation Desk.
Africana Library: Audio cassette/disc with accompanying print material
Location: afr
Call number: Accession number for audio cassette or disc; Accession number + Appropriate term for print material
Barcoding: Follow general barcoding guidelines in this procedure
Physical Processing:
Scrap card with the assigned accession-type call number and send items to Physical Processing
Pencil the call number on the accompanying text
Use 'Requires Special Handling" flyer or circle "Special Handling" on flyer
Any accompanying discs destined for any Annex location will be stored separately and must have a separate container and item record. Jewel cases are preferred.
•Location: [original loc],anx
• Call number:
Follow instructions for original library location. Add "Disk" to enumeration in item record for disk.
• Barcoding:
Barcode both the main piece and the disk's jewel case and create individual item records.
• Marking:
Pencil the call number for the disk on the location flyer or scrap card. Rubber-band disk (in jewel case) to book and send to LTS Physical Processing or Conservation.
• Physical Processing staff will mark jewel case with call number, tattle tape disk and write call number on the disk with indelible ink.
Asia Collections: Accompanying cassettes
Location: fine
Call number: LC-type
Barcoding: Follow general barcoding guidelines in this procedure
Physical Processing: Annotate the location flyer with the call number and send item(s) to Physical Processing
MFHD notes: For audio cassette(s) or audio disc(s) without accompanying material:
|z Request disc at Circulation Desk.
Fine Arts: Disc and book combinations
Barcoding:
Barcode book, create item record, and adjust piece count.
Include note on location flyer that volume includes disk in pocket, or put disk in mailing box and rubber band to book. Include "Requires Special Handling" flyer or circle "Special Handling" on library flyer.
Physical Processing:
Write the call number on a scrap card or the location flyer and send items to Physical Processing
Physical Processing staff will write call number on inner ring of audio disc with indelible ink
Fine Arts: Accompanying cassettes
Books accompanied by cassettes, or cassettes accompanied by books will be boxed to go into the stacks. Do not barcode any of the pieces. Pencil the call number on the main text(s) and send everything to Conservation. After Conservation staff have completed their work, they will forward the material to the cataloger. At that point, barcode the piece(s). Create an item record and adjust the Number of pieces count as necessary, update the holdings, if needed.
Location: fine
Call number: LC-type
Physical Processing: When item has been returned to cataloger and item record has been created, send the material to Physical Processing
Location: hote ilr jgsm
Call number: LC-type
Barcoding: Follow general barcoding guidelines in this procedure
Physical Processing: Write the call number on a scrap card or the location flyer and send item(s) to Physical Processing
Location: ilr,lmdc Though most audio recordings for ILR will be housed in the Kheel Center, occasionally an audio recording will be ordered for the main collection, and given an LC-type classification. If a cataloger questions the location, an ILR selector should be consulted.
Call number: Collection level number (will be assigned by Kheel Center staff after cataloging)
Barcoding:
Do not barcode piece itself. Place barcode on archival bond processing slip
Adjust pieces count in item record as necessary
Item status: no circ
Physical Processing:
Items should not be plated or tattle-taped
Send to Kheel Center for call number assignment and completion of processing
Location: mann
Call number: LC-type
Barcoding: Follow general barcoding guidelines in this procedure
Physical Processing: Write the call number on a scrap card or the location flyer and send item(s) to Physical Processing
Accompanying material: Whether CD accompanies book or book is guide to CD, the disk will be put into a pocket of the book when possible. Otherwise, barcode main piece and send materials to the attention of Mann processing staff. See LTS Procedure #24.
Location: math
Call number: LC-type
Barcoding: Follow general barcoding guidelines in this procedure
Physical Processing: Write the call number on a scrap card or the location flyer and send item(s) to Physical Processing
Location: mus,av
Call number: LC-type for main item, accession number for accompanying audio cassette(s), disc(s), CD(s) or CD-ROM(s) Examples: [use the FOLIO Call number generator to assign accession number]
mus,av Call number: Cass 86
mus,av Call number: CD 27
mus,av Call number: CD-ROM 5
mus,av Call number: LP 10
Holdings notes: Accompanying text shelved in stacks.
Barcoding: Do not barcode audio recording
Physical Processing:
Send the cassette/disc/CD/CD-ROM(s) directly to the Music Library.
Be sure to pencil the call number on the main text. In addition, pencil a note alongside the call number reading: "Accompanying cassette/disc/CD/CD-ROM(s) stored in sound recordings" under call no.
Location: olin
Call number: LC-type
Place in black plastic case. Include any paper covers and/or inserts from jewel case, when sending to Physical Processing.
Barcoding: Place barcode outside case, upper right corner next to opening edge.
Physical Processing: Write the call number on a scrap card or the location flyer and send item(s) to Physical Processinga
Olin: Disc and book combinations
Disc(s) accompanied by book(s) (whether audio disc accompanies book or book is guide to the audio disc), the audio disc will be put into a pocket in the text and item(s) shelved in stacks.
If the accompanying book(s) are too small to hold the disc(s), the book(s), a box will be made so they can be shelved in the stacks. Do not barcode at this stage. Pencil call number on main text and send everything to Conservation for box creation, after which it will be forwarded to a cataloger. At that point, barcode the piece(s). Create an item record and adjust the Number of pieces count as necessary, update the holdings, if needed.
Audio discs that accompany print:
Location: olin
Call number: LC-type
Holdings details:
Holdings statement: text
Holdings statement for supplements: 1 audio disc Holdings statement for supplements note: <in pockets of text>
Audio discs with accompanying book/guide:
Location: olin
Call number: LC-type
Holdings details:
Holdings statement: 1 audio disc Holding statement public note: <in pocket of text>
Holdings statement for supplements: 1 guide
Barcoding:
Barcode book, create item record, and change piece count, as appropriate.
Include note on flyer that volume includes disk in pocket, or put disk in mailing box and rubber band to book. Include "Requires Special Handling" flyer or circle "Special Handling" on library flyer as appropriate.
Physical Processing:
Write the call number on a scrap card or the location flyer and send items to Physical Processing
Physical Processing staff will write call number on inner ring of audio disc w/indelible ink
Olin: Accompanying cassettes
Books accompanied by cassettes, or cassettes accompanied by books will go to the Annex where the book(s) and cassette(s) will be stored separately. Barcode as appropriate and adjust the piece count as necessary in the item record.
Location: olin,anx
Call number: LC-type
Olin: Audiobooks
If Olin or Uris has print copy of book, use the same call number, and modify the date
Location: olin or uris for discs
olin,anx for cassettes
Call number: LC-type
Physical Processing:
Obtain case(s) from Physical Processing supply cabinet and barcode the case only (i.e., do not barcode cassettes themselves). Be sure to adjust the Number of pieces count in the item record.
Do not discard original box, send it along with plastic case to Physical Processing.
Location: orni
Call number: LC-type
Barcoding: Follow general barcoding guidelines in this procedure
Physical Processing: Write the call number on ascrap card or the location flyer and send item(s) to Physical Processing
Accompanying material: Whether CD accompanies book or book is guide to CD, the disk will be put into a pocket of the book when possible. Otherwise, barcode main piece and send materials to the attention of Mann processing staff). See LTS Procedure #24.
Discs and accompanying discs will be cataloged with a uris location. Cassettes and accompanying cassettes will be cataloged for uris,anx. .
Uris Library: Disc and book combinations
Disc(s) accompanied by book(s) (whether audio disc accompanies book or book is guide to audio disc), the audio disc will be put into pocket and item(s) shelved in stacks.
If the accompanying book(s) are too small to hold the disc(s), a box will be made so they can be shelved together in the stacks. Do not barcode at this stage. Pencil call number on main text and send everything to Conservation for box creation, after which it will be forwarded to a cataloger. At that point, barcode the piece(s). Create an item record and adjust the Number of pieces count as necessary, update the holdings as needed.
Audio discs that accompany print:
Location: uris
Call number: LC-type
Holdings details:
Holdings statement: text
Holdings statement for supplements: 1 audio disc Holdings statement for supplements note: <in pockets of text>
Audio discs with accompanying book/guide:
Location: uris
Call number: LC-type
Holdings details:
Holdings statement: 1 audio disc Holding statement public note: <in pocket of text>
Holdings statement for supplements: 1 guide
Barcoding:
Barcode book, create item record, and change piece count as necessary.
Include note on the flyer that volume includes disk in pocket, or put disk in mailing box and rubber band to book. Include "Requires Special Handling" flyer or circle "Special Handling" as appropriate.
Physical Processing:
Write the call number on a scrap card or the location flyer and send items to Physical Processing
Physical Processing staff will write call number on inner ring of audio disc w/indelible ink
Uris Library: Accompanying cassettes
Books accompanied by cassettes, or cassettes accompanied by books will be sent to the Annex where the book(s) and cassette(s) are stored separately. Barcode as appropriate and adjust piece count as necessary in the item record.
Call number: LC-type
Location: vet Call number prefix: Disk
Call number: Disk: LC type Accompanying disk: Use book call number. Add "Disk" at end of call number.
Barcoding: Follow general barcoding guidelines in this procedure
Physical Processing: Disk: Put disk in jewel case if one is not provided by manufacturer, indicating call number on flyer or scrap card and send to LTS Physical Processing. Accompanying disk: Rubber band disk (in jewel case or disk mailing box) to book and send to Physical Processing or Conservation
This section is for the use of LTS Olin Physical Processing staff.
Cases are purchased in a range of sizes for 2,3,4,6,8,12,16. LTS Physical Processing staff will perform the following functions:
a. Mark and tattle tape each cassette.
b. Mark the case on the spine.
a. No jewel cases in stacks. Use larger black plastic cases. Place covers and inserts when possible.
b. Tattle tape the case.
c. Tattle tape single-sided discs.
d. Mark the disc only in the inner ring.
e. Apply the call number on the spine of the case.