Atlases
Last content review: 2026-04-08
General Policies
The following guidance should be used in addition to the instructions in Cartographic Materials for standard atlases.
For guidance on cataloging composite atlases, see Composite Atlases.
Fixed Fields
008
06: Type of date. If cataloging a multi-part atlas with volume title pages bearing different dates, use the value m (multiple dates)
25: Type of cartographic material. Use the value e (atlas)
0XX Fields
034 (Coded Cartographic Mathematical Data)
If the scales of the maps in the atlas are all the same, use first indicator 1 and give the scale of the maps in $b. If they differ, use first indicator 0 and omit $b.
Examples:
034 1 _ $a a $b 600 $d -073.102222 $e -073.038611 $f 041.363056 $g 041.323611 $2 bound
255 _ _ $a Scale 1:600. 1 in. to 50 ft. $c (W 73°06ʹ08ʺ--W 73°02ʹ19ʺ/N 41°21ʹ47ʺ--N 41°19ʹ25ʺ).
034 0 _ $a a $d -097.371111 $e -096.958611 $f 039.567778 $g 039.131944
255 _ _ $a Scales differ $c (W 97°22ʹ16ʺ--W 96°57ʹ31ʺ/N 39°34ʹ04ʺ--N 39°07ʹ55ʺ).
2XX Fields
255 (Cartographic Mathematical Data)
$a: Statement of scale. For atlases with maps of varying scales, give Scales differ. If all of the maps within an atlas are the same scale, record the scale as a representative fraction.
$c: Statement of coordinates. Record coordinates that represent the geographic area covered by the atlas as a whole when they can be determined.
Examples:
255 _ _ $a Scale 1:600. 1 in. to 50 ft. $c (W 73°06ʹ08ʺ--W 73°02ʹ19ʺ/N 41°21ʹ47ʺ--N 41°19ʹ25ʺ).
255 _ _ $a Scales differ $c (W 97°22ʹ16ʺ--W 96°57ʹ31ʺ/N 39°34ʹ04ʺ--N 39°07ʹ55ʺ).
DCRM(C) guidance:
3D Statement of coordinates and equinox.
3D1.1 Follow the option and always record coordinates.
3D2.8 Coordinates not given. Follow the option and supply coordinates when they can be determined. Indicate in a note that the coordinates are approximated.
DCRM(C) Example:
255 _ _ $a Scales differ $c (W 106°40'45"--W 106°35'10"/N 35°08'24"--N 35°02'23").
500 _ _ $a Scale of most maps 1:600 or 1:1,200.
500 _ _ $a Coordinates not present on maps and are approximated.
3XX Fields
300 (Physical Description)
$b: Other physical details. Record the presence of maps in addition to other types of illustrations. Follow the option at RDA 7.15.1.3 to record the number of maps when practical.
RDA Examples:
300 $a 1 atlas (22 leaves, 1 unnumbered leaf of plates) : $b 22 maps ; $c 54 x 47 cm
300 $a 1 atlas (498 unnumbered pages) : $b 56 color maps ; $c 51 cm
DCRM(C) guidance:
5B. Extent.
5B3-5B13. Atlases in one physical unit. In alignment with the BSR, spell out “pages” instead of “p.”, but maintain DCRM(C)'s conventions regarding square brackets.
5C. Other physical details.
5C4.1. Follow the option to record illustration types in addition to maps. In alignment with the BSR, spell out “portraits”.
5C4.2. In alignment with the BSR, spell out “illustrations”.
5C5. Color in maps and other illustrations in an atlas. In alignment with the BSR, spell out “color” and “hand colored”.
DCRM(C) Examples:
300 $a 1 atlas (280 pages in various pagings) : $b 90 hand-colored maps ; $c 42 cm (folio)
300 $a 1 atlas (8 pages, [1] leaf of plates, XIII folded leaves of plates) : $b 14 maps (chiefly hand colored) ; $c 49 cm
5XX Fields
500 (General Notes)
Limited edition note (sometimes in combination with 590)
DCRM(C) guidance:
7B10. Signatures. Record signatures for pre-1700 atlases if present.
Advertising matter (if copy-specific, indicate in a 590)
6XX Fields
650/651 (Subject Headings)
When assigning subject headings, determine the nature of the atlas: general versus topical. A general atlas only needs geographic subject headings. A topical atlas should additionally have topical subject headings.
Example for an atlas of Sanborn maps:
650 _ 0 $a Fire risk assessment $z Connecticut $z Ansonia $v Maps.
650 _ 0 $a Real property $z Connecticut $z Ansonia $v Maps.
651 _ 0 $a Ansonia (Conn.) $v Maps.
Note: $v Atlases can only be used for scientific or technical works consisting of comprehensive, often systematically arranged, collections of illustrative plates, charts, etc., usually with explanatory captions. It should not be used for geographic atlases.
655 (Genre/Form)
Always add at least one genre term. The default term for atlases is:
Example:
655 _ 7 $a Atlases. $2 lcgft
Add additional genre terms as necessary to bring out the type of maps included in the atlas.
Examples:
655 _ 7 $a Cadastral maps. $2 lcgft
655 _ 7 $a Fire insurance maps. $2 lcgft
For further genre/form headings, see the Genre/form term list on the Cartographic Materials page.