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Suffix Terminology for Call Numbers

Any of the terms and abbreviations listed in the second column (called " accompanying material") can appear as a line of the holdings record.

If you have a single work without accompanying materials, the item will be represented in the holdings record simply as copy 1, i.e., it is not necessary to use a holdings term from the table below. The prefix in the call number eliminates the need for a holdings term.

Example: a CD-ROM.

The holdings record will appear as:
852    PREFIX[call number &c.]

If you have a work with accompanying materials, each item will be represented by one of the holdings terms in the second column of the table.

Example: a book with an accompanying index

The holdings will appear as:
852    [call number &c.]
853    [pattern &c.]
863    text
863    index  

Example: a CD-ROM with an accompanying guide.

The holdings will appear as:
852    [call number &c.]
853    [pattern &c.]
863    CDROM
863    guide

(Note: not all subfields are illustrated.)

Call number Accompanying material (863) Spine label Definition / Usage
abr. abridgment abr.  
abst. abstract abst.  
adden. addendum adden.  
amend. amendment amend.  
apx. appendix apx.  
atlas atlas atlas   
use prefix cassette cass. an audiocassette
use prefix compact disc cdisc an audio disc
use prefix CDROM cdrom a disc with computer data
chap. chapter chap.  
use prefix chart    
    cop. used for a copy number other than the first copy
corrig. corrigendum corrig. corrigendum, i.e. errata
digest digest digest a summary or synopsis
use prefix phonodisc disc  
use prefix DVD dvd ALL versions of digital video discs
facsim. facsimile facsim. an exact physical replication; not a photocopy
use prefix floppy disk fdsk  
use prefix flash card fl.cd.  
forms forms forms  
use prefix film strip fs.  
guide guide guide   
incompl. incomplete incompl. used for a volume that is incomplete
index index index   
introd. introduction introd.  
key key key answer key or teacher's key
  listener's guide lg.  
  libretto    
manual manual manual   
maps maps maps   
use prefix microfiche mfiche  
  model model three dimensional representation of a real thing
no. number no.  
  notes notes accompanying liner notes
n.s. new series n.s.  
  program guide pg.  
use prefix picture picture two dimensional visual representation
plates plates plates leaves or pages containing illustrative matter
pref. preface pref.  
prelim. preliminaries prelim.  
pt. part pt.  
use prefix [motion picture]    
  film reel reel a motion picture film reel
  film reels reels motion picture film reels
use prefix piano roll    
score score score a musical score
  script script a film or television script
sec. section sec. an item that appears in multiple physical parts called "sections"
ser. series ser.  
  sheet sheet a musical or other illustrative sheet (i.e. cartographic, etc.)
  sheets
a looseleaf publication of illustrative matter
use prefix slide slide a single photographic slide
  slides slides multiple photographic slides
  sound recording   used only by the Music Library
  student edition se.  
  student guide sg.  
sup. supplement sup.  
tables tables tables statistical matter issued in table form
  teacher's edition te.  
  teacher's guide tg.  
  tests tests test booklets and/or forms
  text text a print item that accompanies a non-print item
  text [omitted] a print item accompanied by a non-print item
title legal title title a piece of a legal code
use prefix transparency transpar.  
use prefix videorecording vidrec. a videotape or videodisc
  v. [in 853 field] v. volume; used for Band, Abteilung, Heft(e), tome, etc.
  workbook wkbk.