9.2. Appendix B: Using GMDs

Last Updated 01/30/2025

General Material Designation

General Material Designation (GMD) has been used in the 245 $h to describe the material type of the item based on the AACR2 standard, which has been superseded by RDA. However, because Evergreen currently lacks distinct format icons for some item types, GMDs may still be used in limited cases to facilitate patron access in NC Cardinal, based on the approved list below.

In all records, use the 33X fields to provide information from RDA controlled vocabularies for the appropriate material type. Use the 300 tag (instead of the 245 $h) to include any information that is not on the approved GMDs list.

GMDs are primarily for patron information and should be used to help clarify for patrons what kind of item is on the bibliographic record. If you use a GMD, it should only be from the options on the approved list below. GMDs should be added/updated to match the current list whenever catalogers add, edit, or merge bibs.

Some GMD usage may vary for unusual categories, such as kit or equipment, but should always be included in the 245 $h for standardized item types like large print, sound recording, videorecordings, etc.

Applying GMDs

In the =245 field, the GMD follows the title proper ($a, $n, $p subfields) and precedes the :$b subfield.

For example:

=245 10$aMy hero academia.$nVol. 2,$pRage, you damned nerd$h[manga] /$cstory & art, Kohei Horikoshi ; translation & English adaptation, Caleb Cook ; touch-up art & lettering, John Hunt ; editor, Mike Montesa.

=245 10$aHomecoming$h[large print] : $ba novel / $cKate Morton.

New List of Approved GMDs

GMD	Definition/examples	Associated MARC Templates
[audio-enabled device]	Playaway, VOX, Wonderbook, etc.	Audio-enabled Book, Audio-enabled Device
[board book]	books on board pages
[board game]	non-electronic games	Kit
[braille]	characters represented by patterns of raised dots for use by visually impaired readers
[cartographic material]	globes and maps
[electronic resource]	e-audio, e-book, and e-video that are online accessible with no device included
[equipment]	cake pans, telescopes, binoculars, projectors, realia, etc.	Kit, Hotspot
[image]	posters, drawings, photographic prints, slides, and transparencies (not graphic novels)
[kit]	a compilation of materials circulating together as a set	Kit
[large print]	large typeface (such as 14 point or larger) for use by visually impaired readers	Large Print Fiction, Large Print Nonfiction
[manga]	Japanese graphic novels that read from right to left
[microform]	microphotographic reproduction, on film or paper, of a manuscript, map, or other document	Microform
[puzzle]	jigsaw puzzles	Kit
[sound recording]	audiobooks and music recordings, including MP3	Audio Fiction, Audio Nonfiction, Music CD, MP3
[video game]	electronic games
[video-enabled device]	Playaway View, GoChip, and Launchpads	Video-enabled Device
[videorecording]	Blu-rays, DVDs, VHS tapes	Blu-ray only, Blu-ray/DVD combo, DVD only, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray only

Anything from this older list of GMDs, should be edited to match the current list above:

[game]

[GoChip]

[MP3]

[playaway]

[VOX audio-enabled]

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