The following is a quick review of the guidelines for cataloging playaways in Minerva:

Playaways are self-contained MP3 format sound recorded books.

The correct material type for playaways is “s”.

The item is described in the 300 field as a “sound media player”. When cataloging playaways pay close attention to the 300 physical description field. Please be aware that many if not most of the remote bibs for playaways include subfield e, listing accompanying materials (batteries, headphones) in the 300. This subfield should be removed. Some libraries circulate playaways with the batteries, etc. and some do not. This is a local decision, so these items should not appear in the bib record.

The bibliographic record must contain a MARC 538 field note stating “requires earphone and AAA battery” since this equipment is required for the operation of the item.

The bibliographical record should include the subject headings:

655_7 Audiobooks (Playaway) and

655_7 Playaway.|2gsafd

Revision June 14, 2014