THL Toolbox > Reference > Bibliographies > THL SPT User's Manual > Cataloging Dictionaries
Cataloging Dictionaries: a Section from the THL SPT Bibliographical Management Manual
Contributor(s): David Germano.
These are instructions for cataloging dictionaries within the THL Bibliography.
Titles: Make sure any Tibetan or Chinese titles of dictionaries are translated into English as well.
Classifications: The actual type of dictionary it is in terms of languages (Tibetan-Tibetan, etc.) should be specified by using the classifications found in SPT Tibetan and Himalayan > Reference Resources > Dictionaries > Tibetan Dictionaries, and you will find I have already added all variants I know about (Tibetan-Korean, etc.).
Original language: use this additionally to specify what languages covered.
Format: non-print media if is released on offline database; online resource if on Web; print if only available in text or PDFs.
Media type: all will be text; but if have audio or images or video s associated, those should be chosen as well.
Resource type: specify whether Dictionary, Glossary, or Encyclopedia.
One sentence summary: this single line names it as a dictionary, specifies the languages covered in the right order, cites any topical focus, & alludes to its significance.
Description: this has standard structure like this with the section labels put in bold:
- Scope: this indicates the coverage of the dictionary in terms of what types of terms it covers (Lhasan spoken, medical, general, etc.) and also indicates the extent and depth of coverage. Mention # of terms if known. Regardless, refer to its general length herein as “brief”, “average length”, “lengthy”, etc. so that the scope indicates how substantial a resource it is.
- Value & Limitations: this indicates the value of this dictionary and precisely how it can be useful for a researcher. It additionally expresses the quality of the work both positive and negative.
- Organization: this indicates what categories of information are covered for a single entry, and outlines clearly the format of each dictionary entry.
- Pedigree: what dictionaries did it call upon (predecessors) and what later dictionaries drew upon it (SUCCESSORS).
- Notes: any other type of notes go here.
Genre field: this could be used too for dictionaries though take care of in resource type. However if we are really using “genre” then should be used here too.
Subjects: this is where we indicate any thematic focus of the dictionary.
Means of availability: Just be clear and detailed. This should be used consistently:
- Available within THL.
- Available online for free.
- Available online for fee.
- Available at the following library or archive:
- Available for purchase at…
- Out of print.
- This book is very hard to come by,
- etc.
THL Resource: yes/no. This is “yes” only if it is available within THL. Make sure you enter.
URL: Make sure to use this when the item in question is online, including THL resources of course.
Extent: make sure to indicate length.
Citation: put this in “Associated Information”. This may be important if you do not have full bibliographical information nor even have a copy, but only know of the item’s existence because of its citation in another work.
