Page 144 - Cataloging and Classification for Library Technicians, 2nd Edition

130 Cataloging and Classification for Library Technicians
FIGURE 9.1. Most Commonly Used Filing Rules

1. All character strings beginning with numerals are arranged before character
strings beginning with letters. (Rule 1)
2. Punctuation and all nonalphabetic signs and symbols are ignored. (Rule 1.2)
3. The ampersand (&) is filed as spelled out. (Rule 1.3, optional)
4. Names and titles are interfiled, character by character. (Rule 2.1)
5. For records having identical access points, the order is references for
main and added entries, main and added entries interfiled, references for
subject entries, subject entries. (Rule 2.2)
6. Abbreviations are arranged exactly as written, not as spelled out. (Rule 3)
7. Initial articles that form an integral part of place name and personal name
headings are regarded. Initial articles in the nominative case are ignored at
the beginning of the access points. (Rule 4)
8. Initials, initialisms, and acronyms separated by spaces, dashes, hyphens,
diagonal slashes, or periods are regarded as separate words. If only
separated by other marks or symbols, or not separated in any way, they
are regarded as single words. (Rule 4)
9. File numeric character strings according to numerical significance from
lowest to highest. (Rule 8.1)
10. Punctuation used to increase the readability of a numeral is treated as if it
does not exist. Punctuation used in other ways is treated as a space. (Rule
8.2)
11. Numerals after a decimal point are arranged digit by digit, one place at a
time. Decimal numerals that are not combined with a whole numeral are
arranged before the numeral 1. (Rule 8.3)
12. Characters in fractions are arranged in the following order: numerator, line
(equal to space), denominator. (Rule 8.4)
13. Numerals in nonarabic notation are interfiled with their arabic equivalents
(XIV = 14). (Rule 8.5)
14. Superscript and subscript numerals are filed as “on the line” numerals and
preceded by a space. (Rule 8.6)
15. In a chronological file, dates are arranged according to chronology. (Rule
8.7.1)
16. A historic time period that is expressed only in words is treated as if it
consists of a full range of dates for the period (16th century = 1500-1599).
Geologic time periods are arranged alphabetically. (Rule 8.7.2)
17. Words that show the role of a person or corporate body in relation to a
particular work are disregarded. (Rule 9)
18. In access points beginning with a surname, all terms of honor and address
are disregarded. In access points other than those beginning with a
surname, terms of honor and address are regarded. (Rule 10)

Summarized and reprinted with permission of the American Library Association
(50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611) from ALA Filing Rules, 1980, ISBN 0-8389-
3255-X, Copyright ©1980.