Recommendation 1: agree. I was pleased to see the referral to the Music WG.
Recommendation 2.1: agree
Recommendation 2.2: Adopt the following list of recommended terms for RDA Unitary Structure derived from the current RDA Carrier Extent Unit vocabulary
Generally agree - but with the following comments/concerns/questions:
2.2.3: Collage: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is a sheet embodying a still image by affixing paper, fabrics, photographs, or other materials to a flat surface
Note that the WG has not proposed an updated definition of sheet. The Glossary says a sheet is: "A carrier type that consists of a flat, thin piece of paper, plastic, etc." Is a collage on a "thin piece of paper, plastic, etc."? What if you have a collage on cardboard? Should the definition of "sheet" be revisited?
2.2.4: Diorama: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is an object embodying a three-dimensional representation of a scene created by placing objects, figures, etc., in front of a two-dimensional painted background.
Note that the WG has not proposed an updated definition of object. The Glossary says an object is: "A carrier type that consists of a three-dimensional artifact, a replica of an artifact, or a naturally-occurring object." This is already problematic because the term "object" is used the definition, which is not a best practice for definitions. The updated definition for "diorama" also demonstrates this problem by defining it as "an object" that is "created by placing objects". This seems like two different uses of the term "object". I think further refinement is needed in the definition.
2.2.8: Game: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is an object consisting of a set of objects with rules of play that is intended to support educational, entertainment, or therapeutic activities.
This has the same problem as "diorama".
2.2.9: Globe: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is an object embodying a representation of the earth or other celestial body on the surface of a sphere. Scope note: The body that is represented may be real or imaginary.
If a globe represents the earth or other celestial body [definition], how can the body that is represented be "imaginary" [scope note]? Are imaginary places "celestial bodies"? I think some further refinement is needed here.
2.2.10: Puzzle: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is a sheet embodying a still image, usually on pasteboard or wood, which has been cut into interlocking shapes intended to be reassembled.
I'm a little troubled by the definition, which appears to assert that the puzzle is "a sheet". As noted above, no redefinition of sheet has been proposed by the WG, and in most cases, a puzzle isn't on a "thin piece" of paper, etc. It seems that this definition really encompasses both a sheet (the puzzle image) and what it is affixed to. Aren't these separate concepts?
2.2.12: Mock up: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is an object embodying a physical representation of a device or process that is intended for analysis and development of activities.
Note that the new definition omits anything relating to "modification", which was included in the original definition ("A unit of extent that consists of a physical representation of a device or process that may be modified for training or analysis to emphasize a particular part or function.") Note that "training" has been replaced by "development of activities" and that the concept of emphasizing a particular part or function has also been removed. Does CC:DA support these specific changes?
2.2.13: Model: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is an object embodying a scaled-down representation of another object. Scope note: The object represented may be real or imaginary.
This is another example of a definition being of an object that is related to an object. It may be less of a problem in this case.
In addition, I think there's a problem reconciling the Glossary definition of object (see above in bold italics) with the scope note that says the model can represent an imaginary thing. Can artifacts be imaginary?
2.2.14: Painting: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is a sheet embodying images which are created primarily by the direct application of pigment suspended in a medium, arranged in masses of colour.
This is another situation where I question the application of the term "sheet" given its current definition in the Glossary (see above in bold italics). I don't think of canvas (a common base for a painting) or wood (another potential base for a painting) as meeting the definition of a "thin sheet".
2.2.16: Postcard: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is a card on which a message may be written or printed for mailing without an envelope. [Scope note deleted.]
Why was the scope note removed? Is there a use case to identify a post card without images? Without images, this is just a card with writing on it. We don't have a term for letters. I think the scope note should be retained.
2.2.17: Poster: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is a sheet embodying text or still images intended to advertise, promote, or publicize an activity, cause, product or service, or decorate a room.
I think this term should also apply to conference posters. Does the definition encompass that use?
2.2.21: Study print: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is a sheet embodying a still image that is intended to support educational activities.
The new definition omits the following from the original: "sometimes accompanied by text". Without this phrase, the new definition appears to only apply to still images. Does CC:DA support this change?
Recommendation 2.3: Adopt the term exhibit for RDA Unitary Structure
Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is an object consisting of a set of items that is intended for display with cases, labels, and explanatory text and still images to support educational and promotional activities.
Scope note: This term applies to collection manifestations.
Comment: Here the definition avoids the object/object text problem noted above -- but then it uses "set of items", which I believe is not "item" in the RDA entity sense. The Glossary definition of "object" also implies the singular. Are either of these problems?
The final clause of the proposed definition lists 4 things that constitute an exhibit (cases, labels, explanatory text, still images), so if a collection manifestation doesn't have all of these, it can't be an exhibit, right? Are there art exhibits without cases, for example? What would the collection manifestation be then? Is this a problem?
Recommendation 2.5: Add "sketchbook" the RDA Unitary Structure vocabulary
Proposed definition: Proposed definition: A unit of unitary structure that is a volume that embodies still images drawn or painted on blank pages.
What happens if the volume contains sketches together with text? Does that mean it's not a sketchbook?
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Kathy Glennan
Director, Cataloging & Metadata Services
University of Maryland Libraries
she/her/hers
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Original Message:
Sent: Dec 18, 2025 03:23 PM
From: Shelby Anderson
Subject: Request for Comment: Proposal for Manifestation: Extent of Unitary Structure
I support this proposal. I appreciate the nuance in many of the proposed definitions for terms for the new Unitary Structure vocabulary. Coin and medal both removing references to "metal", as well as references to government authority for coins, and the usage of carrier types in each definition to clearly link the two vocabularies together.
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Shelby Anderson
Manager, Catalog Management Unit
Yale University
She/Her/Hers
Original Message:
Sent: Nov 18, 2025 03:40 PM
From: Karl Pettitt
Subject: Request for Comment: Proposal for Manifestation: Extent of Unitary Structure
Below is the abstract for this proposal. Please see the attached for the full proposal and comment no later than Monday, December, 22, 2025.
Abstract
As a subelement of Manifestation: extent of manifestation, the proposed element Manifestation: extent of unitary structure is used to record the number of subunits of the same kind in a multiple unit manifestation or the kind of unit in a single unit manifestation. The subunit terms may come from the RDA Carrier Type vocabulary encoding scheme, or more granular terms from the new RDA Unitary Structure vocabulary encoding scheme, developed from terms from the RDA Carrier Extent Unit vocabulary encoding scheme.
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Karl Pettitt
Coordinator of Cataloging and Metadata Services
University of Denver Libraries
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