1.1F1.

Objective:

In determining what statement to record in a statement of responsibility, bear in mind that the objective is to record only those statement that are of bibliographic significance: significant from the point of view of the intellectual and artistic content of an item. (In many cases such names are also likely candidates to be searched under in a catalog when looking for the particular item with which they are associated.)

Guidelines for Recording Statements of Responsibility:

To achieve the objective stated above, observe the following guidelines:

1. Include in statements of responsibility the names of those whose contributions are judged to be of bibliographic significance if such names appear prominently. Judge bibliographic significance as follows:

a. Editors. Bibliographic significance in this context encompasses that portion o the definition of the term "editor" in the glossary stating that the editorial labor includes "... revision (restitution) or elucidation of the text, and the addition of an introduction, notes, and other critical matter."

Example A

Excluded from this category and, therefore, not candidates for transcription are credits for "in-house" editors, editorial supervisors, publications editors, managing editors, photo-editors, sponsoring editors, and the like.

b. Others. Bibliographic significance in this context equates to the definition of statement of responsibility in the glossary, namely "... persons responsible for the intellectual or artistic content of the item ... or performance of the content of the item." Excluded from this category and, therefore, not candidates for transcription are statements of technical credits, often performed by in-house staff members of publishing firms, such as:

Note that statements of technical credits are often elsewhere than the chief source in a manner similar to the following:

"The editors for this book were Jeremy Robinson, Robert L. Davidson, and Susan Thomas, the designer as Mark E. Safron, and the production supervisor was Paul A. Malchow."

2. If there is doubt whether a statement is of bibliographic significance, proceed as follows:

a. If the statement is in the chief source, transcribe it.

b. If the statement is not in the chief source, do not transcribe it.

Example B

c. Do not routinely transcribe the names of in-house editors listed on CIP data sheets. Instead, apply 2.a. and 2.b.; if for any reason this is not applicable, do not transcribe the name.

Added Entries:

After transcribing statements of responsibility, taking into account the above guideline, apply the rules for making added entries.

See also:

1.1F. Statements of responsibility