MARC
What You Really Need to Know About
This Stuff!
Audrey Church
Coordinator, School Library Media Program
Longwood University
MARC TEMPLATE
Description
Subject
Headings
Entry/Access
Points
Classification
Number
Puzzle graphic from http://www.utexas.edu/depts/ grg/young/grg335n/
MARC
MAchine Reading Cataloging
A series of rules for coding
bibliographic, authority, and holdings
data into a form that can be understood
and used in computers
Today, we focus on bibliographic data…
MARC formats
Are NOT a set of cataloging rules or a
catalog code!
ARE designed to use with data created
by applying standard cataloging rules
(AACR2R), standard subject heading
lists (usually Sears), and standard
classification schemes (usually Abridged
Dewey)!
MARC formats
Are NOT computer systems!
ARE designed to be used in computer
automation systems as templates for
database structures!
MARC Vocabulary
Fields—specific related elements of a
bibliographic record
Tags—3 digit numbers assigned to a particular
field (Example: 245 field=title and statement of
responsibility)
Indicators—2 character positions (values 0-9)
that follow each tag
Subfields—smaller portions of a field
Subfield codes—one lowercase letter preceded by
a delimiter
Delimiters—characters that signal a different
subfield
A Note About Indicators
Two character positions that follow each
tag—two single digit numbers!
Title field 245:
First indicator=1=separate title entry in
catalog; this is most common (Books with
title main entries have first indicators of 0.)
Second indicator=number of characters at
beginning of field to be disregarded by
computer in sorting and filing process
(“The” = 4 ; “A” = 2 ; “An” = 3)
GMD—General Material Designation
As defined in Anglo-American
Cataloging Rules, 2nd ed., 1998
Revision—
”a term indicating the broad class of
material to which an item belongs (e.g.
sound recording)”
Enclose in square brackets in 245h. For
example 245h [videorecording]
Most Commonly Used
MARC Fields
(see list)
Sample 300 Physical
Description Fields
Take a look at those GMDs and SMDs!
6XX Subject Headings
Most Common Subfields
600—Personal Name
600a
600d
600v
Personal name
Dates
Form subdivision
650—Topical Term
650a
650x
650z
650y
650v
Topical term
Topical subdivision
Geographic subdivision
Chronological subdivision
Form subdivision
6XX Subject Headings
Most Common Subfields, continued
651—Geographic Name
651a
651x
651y
651v
Geographic name
Topical subdivision
Chronological subdivision
Form subdivision
Why should YOU know MARC?
1. To accurately do original cataloging
2. To “make repairs” to MARC records in
your online catalog
3. To authoritatively assess the quality of
records a vendor provides
4. To make record enhancements for
users
Correcting/Enhancing Vendor
MARC Records
Check to be sure the LCCN and ISBN
match the item in hand
Check for name authority control.
Correct any errors in 245 and 300
fields.
Construct any additional required notes.
Check subfields in subject headings.
Eliminate extra subject headings.
Audrey Church
Instructor, Coordinator,
School Library Media Program,
Longwood University
[email protected]
http://www.longwood.edu/staff/achurch,
434-395-2682