Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A usually
alphanumeric code indicating the physical location of abook within alibrary .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The first, full reference to a manuscript should give the place-name, the name of the library, and the shelfmark:
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Both in the text and in the notes the abbreviation “MS” plural “MSS” is used only when it precedes a shelfmark.
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Each page is treated as separate work, but you can search by shelfmark.
Manuscripts on the web: The British Library Dafydd 2009
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Each page is treated as separate work, but you can search by shelfmark.
Archive 2009-04-01 Dafydd 2009
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Finally, if I know some or all of the documents I will be looking at, I make up a detailed list for each archive that includes the shelfmark and full description given in the catalogue.
Working in Archives #2: advanced preparation Emily Kadens 2009
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Cite the shelfmark according to the practice of the given library.
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Sometimes it is hard to relocate the document you want when you get to the archive and are using its catalogue; sometimes the shelfmark you found in an old work of scholarship is out of date and having as much description as possible can help the archivist or librarian locate what you are looking for.
Working in Archives #2: advanced preparation Emily Kadens 2009
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You stand a much better chance of getting an institution to let you look at a manuscript if you know its shelfmark.
Archive 2008-07-01 Dafydd 2008
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It is usually known only by the its shelfmark because there are at least two other fragmentary Insular gospel books at Durham Cathedral MSS A II 16, and A II 17.
Archive 2008-07-01 Dafydd 2008
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In any case, the full shelfmark will identify a manuscript precisely.
Archive 2008-07-01 Dafydd 2008
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