MARC

1. MARC What You Really Need to Know About This Stuff! Audrey Church Coordinator, School Library Media Program Longwood University

2. MARC TEMPLATE Description Subject Headings Entry/Access Points Classification Number Puzzle graphic from http://www.utexas.edu/depts/ grg/young/grg335n/

3. 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…

4. 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)!

5. MARC formats • Are NOT computer systems! • ARE designed to be used in computer automation systems as templates for database structures!

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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]

9. Most Commonly Used MARC Fields(see list)

10. Sample 300 Physical Description FieldsTake a look at those GMDs and SMDs!

11. 6XX Subject Headings Most Common Subfields • 600—Personal Name • 600a Personal name • 600d Dates • 600v Form subdivision • 650—Topical Term • 650a Topical term • 650x Topical subdivision • 650z Geographic subdivision • 650y Chronological subdivision • 650v Form subdivision

12. 6XX Subject Headings Most Common Subfields, continued • 651—Geographic Name • 651a Geographic name • 651x Topical subdivision • 651y Chronological subdivision • 651v Form subdivision

13. Why should YOU know MARC? • To accurately do original cataloging • To “make repairs” to MARC records in your online catalog • To authoritatively assess the quality of records a vendor provides • To make record enhancements for users

14. 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.

15. Audrey ChurchInstructor, Coordinator, School Library Media Program, Longwood Universityachurch@longwood.eduhttp://www.longwood.edu/staff/achurch, 434-395-2682