IV. FORM-ENTRY.
National entry has already been discussed under SUBJECTS (§ [97]).
122. Make a form-entry for collections of works in any form of literature.
In the catalogues of libraries consisting chiefly of English books, if it is thought most convenient to make form-entries under the headings Poetry, Drama, Fiction, it may be done, because for those libraries Poetry is synonymous with English poetry, and so on; but if a library has any considerable number of books in foreign languages the national classification should be strictly followed; that is to say, entries should be made under English drama, English fiction, English poetry, Latin poetry, etc.; only those collections of plays, novels, poems that include specimens of several literatures being put under Drama, Fiction, Poetry. Or the English plays, novels, poems, etc., may be entered under Drama, Fiction, Poetry, etc., and the dramatic works, etc., of foreign literatures under the names of the several literatures.
The rule above confines itself to collections. It would be convenient to have full lists of the single works in the library in all the various kinds of literature, and when space can be afforded they ought to be given; if there is not room for them, references must be made under these headings to the names of all the single authors; an unsatisfactory substitute, it is true, but better than entire omission. Note, however, that there is much less need of these lists in libraries which give their frequenters access to the shelves than where such access is denied, so that borrowers must depend entirely on the catalogue. In the case of English fiction a form-list is of such constant use that nearly all libraries have separate fiction catalogues.
It has been objected that such lists of novels, plays, etc., do not suit the genius of the dictionary catalogue. The objection is of no importance if true; if such lists are useful they ought to be given. There is nothing in the dictionary plan which makes them hard to use if inserted. But the objection is not well founded. Under the names of certain subjects we give lists of the authors who have treated of those subjects; under the names of certain kinds of literature we give lists of the authors who have written books in those forms; the cases are parallel. The divisions of fiction, it must be understood, are not the authors who have written novels but the different kinds of novels which they have written; they are either such varieties as “Historical fiction,” “Sea stories,” “Religious novels,” or such as “English fiction,” “French fiction.” The first divisions we do not make for single works because it would be very difficult to do so and of little use; but if there were collections in those classes we should certainly introduce such headings. The second division (by language) is made as it is in Poetry and Drama, both for single works and collections. {60}
There is no reason but want of room why only collections should be entered under form-headings. The first entries of collections were merely title-entries, and Mr. Crestadoro is the only person who has thought that plays, etc., deserve two title-entries, one from the first word, the other from what we might call the form-word. It is not uninteresting to watch the steps by which the fully organized quadruple syndetic dictionary catalogue is gradually developing from the simple subject-word index.
123. Make a form-entry for single works in the rarer literatures, as Japanese, or Kalmuc, or Cherokee.
References can be substituted, if necessary.
124. Make a form-entry of encyclopædias, indexes, and works of similar practical form, the general ones under the headings Encyclopædias, etc., the special ones in groups under their appropriate subjects.
Thus an agricultural dictionary will not be entered under Dictionaries, but under Agriculture, in a little division Dictionaries. Now and then some one asks for “a grammar,” “the dictionary.” It does not follow that it would be well to jumble together, under a form-heading, Grammars or Dictionaries, all grammars and lexicons in all languages. Those who inquire so vaguely must be made to state their wishes more definitely. The cataloguer does his part if he inserts a note under such headings explanatory of the practice of the catalogue; as
Grammar. [First a list of works on general grammar, then]
Note. For grammars of any language, see the name of the language.