Cataloging Sound Recordings Using Archival Methods

Abstract

Archival collections are usually considered to comprise primarily printed or written material. This paper discusses processing archival sound recording collections. Sound recordings can be archival. That is, they can be: (a) material gathered to accomplish some activity; and (b) material not created for public consumption. The concept of original order, of prime importance in archival work, is sometimes difficult to reconstruct. However, standard archival methods of arrangement can be followed. With sound recordings, the finding aid is usually the only tool for access to any part of a collection. Subject access to archival sound recordings tends to be through forms rather than topics. Cataloging archival sound recordings collections in many ways is similar to cataloging of textual archival collections.