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Book & Author Page Issues > Can someone explain this to me?

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❂ Murder by Death  (murderbydeath) Deborah (Debbie Rice) wrote: "Yup, and like goodreads, there are some volunteer entries.

I say one of three things needs to happen (1) stick to what goodreads librarian manual says is standard (2) suggest something very specif..."


I think either option 2. or 3. (which sort of feel the same to me). Perhaps change the relevant section of the librarian manual to state that "GR follows the X manual of style" in regards to capitalization of titles, and perhaps quote the relevant section of said style guide below it (so people don't have to hunt down the style guide and search through it when they need clarification - which is what I did when I was a brand-spanking newbie).


message 102: by Debbie's Spurts (D.A.) (last edited Aug 26, 2012 06:19PM) (new)

Debbie's Spurts (D.A.) | 6325 comments Maybe a more example filled comment about book titles and U.S. vs. U.K. English capitalization differences should go in manual.

A few examples. As big a Tolkien fan as I am, I'm not suggesting a separate section for him, Harry Potter, Twilight or any other work with a huge fan base. But, certainly works with a huge number of shelvings...should be a clue that you need to be very careful about editing.

I have to really strictly edit myself to not put two spaces after the colon. I know one is standard in titles; but, get so used to with series and bullets I have to force myself. But, I do, because standard.


message 103: by Debbie's Spurts (D.A.) (last edited Aug 26, 2012 06:35PM) (new)

Debbie's Spurts (D.A.) | 6325 comments ❂ Jennifer wrote: "Deborah (Debbie Rice) wrote: "Yup, and like goodreads, there are some volunteer entries.

I say one of three things needs to happen (1) stick to what goodreads librarian manual says is standard (2)..."


Yup, and most of the style guides do have websites with some content. So might be able to shove in a clickable link if any librarian would like to bookmark and have handy.

Capitaliazation rules for book titles do vary from publisher to publisher so the publishing house is not a good reference.


message 104: by Debbie's Spurts (D.A.) (last edited Aug 26, 2012 06:43PM) (new)

Debbie's Spurts (D.A.) | 6325 comments Oops, The Chicago Manual of Style online is not a free source. But there is non-subscriber access to Q&A section. For example, http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/C...


message 105: by Yossarian (last edited Aug 27, 2012 02:08AM) (new)

Yossarian (polymathicmonkey) | 169 comments I think the manual needs a serious overhaul anyway, there's tons of stuff that is not in it, that one only knows if they ask/hang around here watching what others do for a while.

ETA- By "overhaul" I don't mean changing the standard, lest anyone be confused. I simply mean the manual needs a lot of stuff added to it, and a better ToC, as I finding doing a search for a relevant word to be the only way to really find what I need in it, too.


message 106: by Ellie (new)

Ellie Loredan (ellieloredan) | 113 comments But could we then clarify that other languages than English follow the language's capitalisation rules? Otherwise someone might start to change them and that would be really really annoying. I can't stand wrong capitalisation of German titles. Every time I come across one, I just have to correct it to prevent me from going crazy.


message 107: by Yossarian (new)

Yossarian (polymathicmonkey) | 169 comments Yes, all applicable rules should be included in it, and clearly stated.


message 108: by rivka, Former Moderator (new)

rivka | 45177 comments Mod
Dealt with. Any suggested edits to the Manual: please start a new thread in the appropriate folder.


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