Box 72Language for describing physical characteristics

Physical description of a journal in audiovisual format is optional in a reference but may be included to provide useful information to the reader. For example, the size of an audiovisual indicates what equipment is needed to view it.

Note that the words used in description are taken from ISO 832 and reflect standard library practice. See Appendix C for a list of commonly used English words and their abbreviations.

• Give the type of medium on which the audiovisual journal appears, in plural form, followed by a colon and a space. Examples: "Videocassettes:" and "Audiocassettes:"
• Include physical characteristics, such as color and size. For example, videocassettes are usually either 1/2 in. or 3/4 in. in size. The standard audiocassette is 2 in. x 4 in. Audiocassettes are produced in a number of other sizes, but the standard size is used for scientific journals. Size is usually omitted from the description of audiocassettes unless it deviates from the standard. The speed of the audiocassette, provided in terms of inches per second, is used in the description instead.
• Abbreviate common words for measurement, such as in. for inches and ips. for inches per second
• Separate types of information by commas
  Typical words used include:

  • sound
  • silent

  • color
  • black & white
  • color with black & white

  • 1/2 in. (standard videocassette size)
  • 3/4 in. (non-standard videocassette size)

  • 1 7/8 ips. (standard speed for compact audiocassettes)
  • 2 x 2 in. (standard slide size)
  • 2 3/4 x 4 in. (non-standard slide size)
  Examples of complete physical description statements:

  • Videocassettes: sound, color, 1/2 in.
  • Videocassettes: sound, color with black & white, 1/2 in.
  • Videocassettes: sound, color, 3/4 in.

  • Audiocassettes: 1 7/8 ips.
  • Slides: color, 2 x 2 in.