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Specific Material Designation And Extent Encoding Scheme

Element Reference​

Definition
Syntax Encoding Scheme for the specific material designation and extent.
Scope note
Domain
Range
URI
https://www.iflastandards.info/ISBDM/elements/CC2015
Type
owl:Class
Status
Published

Definition​

This refers to the naming and numbering of the physical unit(s) that constitute the resource, along with other measures of its extent. It is the first element in the Material Description Area (Area 5) [411, 5.1]. The specific material designation (SMD) identifies the specific class of physical object.

Required Elements​

  • Number of physical units (Optional): Given in arabic numerals (e.g., "36"). This is omitted if the resource is still being issued or the number is unknown.
  • Specific material designation (Mandatory): A term indicating the type of physical unit (e.g., "slides," "atlas," "computer disk," "website"). Terms are not prescribed and may be abbreviated.
  • Subunits (Optional): The number and type of internal subunits (e.g., pages, leaves, frames, pieces) and/or playing time, enclosed in parentheses (e.g., "(37 p.)", "(ca 60 min)").

Punctuation Rules​

  • The subunits statement is enclosed in parentheses ( ).
  • For multimedia resources, components are separated by ,.

Relationship to ISBD Standards​

This is element 5.1 within Area 5. It is fundamental to the physical description of a resource, providing a concise summary of its physical form and quantity.

Relationship to Other SES​

  • It is a component of the "Material Description Area Encoding Scheme."
  • Playing time (5.1.5) and pagination (5.1.4) are detailed aspects of this element.
  • It is closely related to the "Content Form And Media Type Area Encoding Scheme" (Area 0), as the physical carrier described here is the "Media type" in Area 0.
  • For component parts, this information may be inferred from the host and location, and thus omitted from the part's description itself.
  • Notes on extent (e.g., if numbering gives a false impression, or if it differs from bibliographic units) are given in the Note Area (Area 7).

Examples​

  • . — 36 slides
  • . — 1 computer disk
  • . — 1 score (37 p.)
  • . — 1 website
  • . — 3 filmstrips, 1 map, 13 rocks and minerals, 1 wallchart

This content was automatically generated from the ISBD PDF documentation using Gemini AI analysis.