--American Memory--

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1. Introduction

2. Substantive Writing
3. Mechanics of Writing
3.1 Abbreviations and Names
3.2 Illustrations: Captions and Legends
3.3 Notes and Bibliographies
3.4 Numbers and Dates
3.5 Punctuation
3.6 Spelling and Special Terms
 
4. Editorial Process
 
5. Editorial Support
 
6. Collection Framework
6.1 About the Collection
6.2 Acknowledgments
6.3 Building the Digital Collection
6.4 Cataloging the Collection
6.5 Copyright and Other Restrictions
6.6 Related Resources
6.7 Scope and Content Note
6.8 Selected Bibliography
6.9 Special Presentations
6.10 Other Components
 
7. Learning Page
 
8. Today in History
 
9. Glossary

6.2 Acknowledgments

This framework element is mandatory.

The Acknowledgments section recognizes the contributions of those who sponsored or participated in the creation of the online collection and provides a record of responsibility. It should accomplish one or more of the following goals: identify what was done and who was responsible for each element, at either the unit or individual level; recognize donors, authors, non-LC contributors, and other individual contributors; and acknowledge the use of previously published materials.

Content may include some or all of the following information:

  • A general statement or narrative of the course of work;

  • Names of library units or other institutions involved (Divisions, departments, teams, contractors, universities, etc.);

  • Names of individuals;

  • Titles of individuals;

  • Role of unit or individual;

  • Dates of first and subsequent releases.

As collections are updated, acknowledgements should be revised as necessary.

Organization: Arrange names according to one or more of the following principles:

  • Alphabetical order;

  • Highlighting special acknowledgments (e.g., donor recognition first, or non-LC contributors first);

  • Grouping by institution or unit;

  • Chronological order (i.e., in the order of the production process);

  • Grouping by primary and secondary project staff.

Examples

Paragraphs

By Popular Demand: "Votes for Women" Suffrage Pictures, 1850-1920

  • Single paragraph, organized mostly by process:

    • Describes what each individual did.

    • After names, gives Division or title in parentheses.

Pioneering the Upper Midwest

  • Two paragraphs:

    • First paragraph discusses collection development and lists outside contributors.

    • Second paragraph lists LC staff by name only, in alphabetical order.

    • Dateline/signature.

A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation

  • Multiple, longer paragraphs organized by Division;

  • Division name highlighted in each paragraph;

  • Role of each person described.

Lists

Taking the Long View

  • Prose lists (sentences or short paragraphs -- no headwords);

  • Organized mostly by Division;

  • Curator and project leader listed first.

The Leonard Bernstein Collection, ca. 1920-1989

  • Organized by Division, with Division names as bolded headings;

  • Names listed individually, with name, title, and role;

  • Strong emphasis on Bernstein estate's contributions.

Hybrid

Built in America

  • Combines narrative paragraph with lists;

  • Initial paragraph acknowledges general responsibilities by unit;

  • Provides a hierarchical list:

    • Organized by unit (unit name as bolded headword);

    • Lists names listed alphabetically without title or role.

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September 1999