abbreviations found in cataloging records ☜☞ abreviaturas encontradas en los catálogos de bibliotecas


Due to the space limitations imposed by the 3 X 5 index cards (used in analog library cataloging/on which library records were formerly written), libraries had to resort to various abbreviations to convey bibliographic information. Some of the most common abbreviations you will encounter in this catalog (in the order they usually appear) include:

s.l. = sine loco (Latin for "without place.") This abbreviation indicates that the imprint area (either title page or colophon) of a work lacks the geographical name of the place where the work was printed. In Spanish, s.l. is usually used for sin lugar. Formerly, following the conventions of Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, the abbreviation n.p. (no place) was used.  

s.n. = sine nomine (Latin for "without name.") This abbreviation indicates that the imprint area (either title page or colophon) of a work lacks the name of a printer, publisher, or other entity responsible for its physical creation. In Spanish, s.n. is usually used for sin nombre. Formerly, following the conventions of Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, the abbreviation n.p. (no printer/publisher) was used.

s.a. = sine anno (Latin for "without year.") This abbreviation indicates that the imprint area (either title page or colophon) of a work lacks a publication date. In Spanish, s.a. is usually used for sin año. Formerly, following the conventions of Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, the abbreviation n.d. (no date) was used.

p. or pp. = page, pages.

l. = leaves.

ill. = illustration, illustrations.

cm = centimeters.

See also: authority file, general note(s), local note(s), National Union Catalog / NUC pre-1956, OCLC / WorldCat