Between notes: historical research and information representation

Abstract

The notes area and the physical description of a bibliographic item constitute an important source of information for professionals dedicated to understanding facts and events from past times. Accordingly, this paper aims to present some resources available to guide librarians in the process of representing bibliographic heritage collections in digital environments. It is a theoretical reflection on the opportunities and omissions in the descriptive process of informational items, related to the notes area and the physical characteristics of the document. The methodology is based on bibliographic research, having as empirical categories descriptive representation, organoleptic properties, and the materiality of the document. It is noted that most items represented by librarians and made available digitally lack a description that is more compatible with the demands and needs of historians, including information about the target audience and the nature of the documentation. This reality points to a need for a change in the information professional’s approach towards greater detail of the resource.