Session 3: Contents Pages

Some guidelines for brailling a Table of Contents:

• The word "CONTENTS" in double caps should appear at or near the top of the contents page:
  • For a book with only one volume, it should be centered on the first line (no running head used), or on the third line (if a running head is used).
  • If there is more than one volume, the word CONTENTS should begin in Cell 1 of line 3 (running head) or line 2 (no running head), and the word VOLUME with the volume number. There should be a series of dot 5s between CONTENTS and VOLUME, with a space after CONTENTS and a space before VOLUME
• Braille the word "Page" at the end of the second or fourth line. You can also braille the word "Chapter" or "Lesson" or other appropriate word at the beginning of the same line. You should not have a row of guiding dot 5s between Chapter and Page. Follow the print if some other word other than "Chapter" is used. If no word is used, you should braille "Chapter".
• Brailling the body of the contents:
  • Main headings start at the margin. Runovers go to Cell 3 if there are only main headings. If there are main headings and subheadings, start at the left margin with runovers in Cell 5. Subheadings start in Cell 3 with runovers in Cell 7. Sub-subheadings start in Cell 7 with runovers in Cell 9. Use this pattern as needed.
  • If you are using runovers, there should be at least six (6) blank spaces between the last word of an unfinished line and the right margin of the paper. This rule often confuses transcribers. This rule means that on the runover line that does NOT contain the page number, there should be at least six blank spaces between the end of the runover and the right margin of the paper. Look at the example Table of Contents as an example.
  • Page numbers go at the end of the line where headings end. Use guide dots (Dot 5) preceded by and followed by a space, between the last word of the heading and the page number. The page numbers refer to the braille page, not the print page.
  • You should generally ignore italics or other special typefaces, unless it is necessary for special emphasis.
  • Skip a line between main divisions, such as before the words Index, Appendix, etc.

You should note that there are differences in the Table of Contents for the entire book, which are typically brailled in Volume I of the braille series, and the Table of Contents for each individual volume. Typically one will braille a content page for each volume, showing only the content in that volume. If it is necessary (usually an agency decision) to braille the entire contents, that contents goes in the first volume. Partial contents are then placed at the beginning of subsequent volumes. The guidelines for the entire contents in Volume 1 are as follows:

1. the word CONTENTS (double caps) is centered on Line 1 (no running head) or Line 3 (running head).
2. the words VOLUME I are centered, preceded by a blank line.
3. the words "Chapter" and "Page" are placed at the beginning and end of the next line (no blank line preceding)
4. begin brailling the contents, following a blank line.
5. following a blank line, center the words "Remaining Contents" in single caps. If more than one page is needed, start the next page with the line "Chapter" and "Page" on Line 2 (no running head) or Line 3 (running head).