# Other\_Numbers field

## Field explanation

Flexi-field used to record any numbers associated with an object, beyond the Mimsy ID number (the "WELL-" number). This can include accession numbers, library catalogue references, Sierra system numbers and loan numbers (for external material)

The type of number is specified in the `other_number_type` field

{% hint style="warning" %}
All Core Collection material should have a unique identifier (i.e. reference number) and all Mimsy records for Core Collection material should include that **correctly formatted** unique identifier in the `other_number` field with the type of number specified in the `other_number_type` field&#x20;
{% endhint %}

Core Collection material covers the following sub-collections, each of which have their own unique identifiers

* Core: Archives
* Core: Manuscripts
* Core: Visual and Material Culture
* Core: Printed and Published Rare Materials
* Core: Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection

***

## Unique identifiers for Core: Archives

Archive unique identifiers are recorded in the Calm `PublicRef` field (previously called the `AltRefNo` field). They are also know as the archive reference and are written on archival packaging.

{% hint style="danger" %}
Do not confuse the PublicRef with the Calm `RefNo` field. Whilst the two are often similar, they are not the same.&#x20;

The RefNo constructs the hierarchical tree structure for archive collections. The PublicRef is the reference used publicly.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

Conventions have changed over the years, and some legacy catalogues have PublicRefs that do not follow modern practice. However, current formatting is as follows:

* **Broad collection category**: prefix used to broadly categories archives into Personal Papers (PP) or the corporate papers of Societies, Organisations and Associations (SA). Other legacy prefixes include GC (general collections), WA (Sir Henry Wellcome archives) and ART (art and health collections)
* **Unique 3-letter code**: the prefix is followed by a three letter code to specify the precise archive. They aim to relate to the name of the archive (e.g. SUL = John Sulston), but the priority is that the code is unique. Note, GC and GP collections use a running series of numbers, rather than 3-letter codes.
* **Letters and numbers to denote levels of hierarchy**: convention is to use letters for section levels and numbers for all lower levels of hierarchy, including the item level.&#x20;
* **Forward slash**: levels of hierarchy are denoted by a forward slash

<figure><img src="https://2705121378-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F0WcE8U76FIQfEuyg4dNt%2Fuploads%2FRLFhpVUY5SYrU7SkR4Na%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=06b0d99b-d272-47bd-8ddb-1e66cf6cfb93" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}
**Examples**

PP/SUL/A/1/1

SA/NCT/E/1/2/11

**Legacy reference examples**

SA/NBT/U.13/1

GC/108/45/48
{% endhint %}

***

## Unique identifiers for Core: Manuscripts

Manuscript references are formatted in one of two ways, due to previous management of the material.

### Western manuscripts

"Western" manuscripts were previously catalogued in Calm and follow the formatting:

> MS + . + \[number]    (Example: MS.801)

Occasionally, a manuscript may have been sub-divided into multiple items, thus the reference will include a forward slash and number. For example: MS.9157/4

The exceptions to this are the American collection and Medical Society of London collection. These are formatted as follows:

> MS + . + \[Amer/MSL] + . + number     (Examples: MS.Amer.35 ; MS.MSL.1)

### Global manuscripts

These manuscripts were previously managed separately as the "Oriental" or "Asian" collection. Some are catalogued in Sierra, some where in Sierra but have been superseded by TEI records, some are listed in printed catalogues that may or may not be available digitally, and some are only noted in unpublished documentation that circulates in digital formats or sits in various cupboards. Moreover, some manuscripts await inventory to attain even minimum viable description

> MS + \[Identifier] + \[number]      (Example: MS Arabic 101)

In many cases, the identifier is a language (e.g. Persian, Japanese, Hindi). But sometimes it is not (e.g. Raghavan, Indic)&#x20;

Note: the Sanskrit collection has been sub-divided into groups with Greek letter names (alpha, beta, gamma etc.)

{% hint style="success" %}
**Examples**

MS.801

MS.9157/4

MS.MSL.10

MS Chinese 71

MS Thai 25

MS Batak 331834

MS Sanskrit alpha 267
{% endhint %}

#### Global manuscripts in Sierra

Some manuscripts have stub records in Sierra to allow online ordering. These records are very sparse, with a title that looks like a manuscript reference but is not correctly formatted (e.g. "\[Wellcome MS Sanskrit alpha 267]")

***

## Unique identifiers for Core: Visual and Material Culture

Most visual items have an "icon" or "i" number which is formed of a string of numbers with an "i" on the end.

This applies to both digital and "analogue" works.

### AV items

Core: Visual and material culture includes stand-alone audio-visual items that are not acquired as part of an archive collection (these are Core: Archives) and are not off-air recordings (these are Support: Printed and Published reference collection).

The existing Shelfmarks should be used as the unique identified as each title & format combination has a unique shelfmark.&#x20;

If there are multiple copies, they will share the shelfmark and thus the identifier. These items will need to be part numbered to create a unique identifier.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Examples**

BMA952

RSM064.1
{% endhint %}

***

## Unique identifiers for Core: Printed & Published Rare Materials

The sub-collections encompasses early printed books, ephemera and zines

### Early Printed Books

EPB shelfmarks have been repurposed as unique identifiers. See the [table of shelfmarks ](https://app.gitbook.com/s/3Zq2AtzySU4UGEk3HA5y/introduction-to-printed-rare-materials/shelfmarks#table-of-shelfmarks)in the Printed & Published Rare Materials Inventory GitBook for the full list of correct formatting.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Examples**

EPB/A/1234

EPB/INC/1.e.23

EPB/A/10752.1

EPB/A/1234.v1
{% endhint %}

### Ephemera

Once inventory is complete, all ephemera items will have correctly formatted individual unique identifiers. For now, some items will only have a box number and some items will still be formatted in the old style

Correct formatting: EPH /  \[Box number] / \[Item number]

The old formatting uses colons instead of forward slashes.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Examples**

EPH/1/18

EPH/130/2
{% endhint %}

### Zines

The Z control number is the zine's unique reference. It is a running number prefixed by a "Z". Zines may be part numbered.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Examples**

Z176

Z1450.1
{% endhint %}
