A fixed field that comprises the first 24
character positions (00-23) of each record and provides information for the
processing of the record.
Character Positions
- 00-04 - Logical record length
The computer-generated, five-character
numeric string that specifies the length of the entire record. The number is
right justified and each unused position contains a zero.
- 05 - Record status
A one-character code that indicates the relation of
the record to a file.
- a - Increase in encoding level
The Encoding level (Leader/17) of the
record has been changed to a higher encoding level.
- c - Corrected or revised
A change other than in the Encoding level
code has been made to the record.
- d - Deleted
- n - New
- p - Increase in encoding level from prepublication
The cataloging
level of a prepublication record has changed because of the availability of
the published item.
- 06 - Type of record
A one-character code that indicates the
characteristics of and defines the components of the record.
- a - Language material
This code is also used for microforms of
language material.
- c - Printed music
This code is also used for microforms of printed
music.
- d - Manuscript music
This code is also used for microforms of
manuscript music.
- e - Printed cartographic material
This code is also used for
microforms of printed maps.
- f - Manuscript cartographic material
This code is also used for
microforms of manuscript maps.
- g - Projected medium
The described item is a motion picture,
videorecording, filmstrip, slide, transparency, or material specifically
designed for overhead projection.
- i - Nonmusical sound recording
- j - Musical sound recording
- k - Two-dimensional nonprojectable graphic
This code is used for
items such as activity cards, charts, collages, computer graphics, drawings,
duplication masters, flash cards, paintings, photonegatives, photoprints,
pictures, postcards, posters, prints, spirit masters, study prints,
technical drawings, transparency masters, photomechanical reproductions, and
reproductions of any of these.
- m - Computer file
This code indicates that the content of the record
is for the following classes of electronic resources: computer software
(including programs, games, fonts), numeric data, computer-oriented
multimedia, online systems or services. For these classes of materials, if
there is a significant aspect that causes it to fall into another Leader/06
category, the code for that significant aspect is used instead of code m
(e.g., vector data that is cartographic is not coded as numeric but
cartographic). Other classes of electronic resources are coded for their
most significant aspect (e.g., language material, graphic, cartographic
material, sound, music, moving image). In case of doubt or if the most
significant aspect cannot be determined, consider the item a computer file.
- o - Kit
The described item contains a mixture of components from two
or more types of items, no one of which is the predominent constituent of
the kit.
- p - Mixed material
- r - Three-dimensional artifact or naturally occurring object
This
code is used for such man-made objects as models, dioramas, games, puzzles,
simulations, sculptures and other three-dimensional art works and their
reproductions, exhibits, machines, clothing, toys, and stitchery. It also
includes such naturally occurring objects as microscope specimens and other
specimens mounted for viewing.
- t - Manuscript language material
- 07 - Bibliographic level
A one-character code that indicates the
bibliographic level of the record.
- a - Monographic component part
A monographic bibliographic unit that
is physically attached to or contained in another monographic unit such that
the retrieval of the component part is dependent on the physical
identification and location of the host item or container. The record
contains fields that describe the component part and data that identify the
Host Item Entry (field 773).
- b - Serial component part
A serial bibliographic unit that is
physically attached to or contained in another serial unit such that the
retrieval of the component part is dependent on the physical identification
and location of the host item or container. The record contains fields that
describe the component part and data that identify the Host Item Entry
(field 773).
- c - Collection
A made-up multipart group of items that were not
originally published, distributed, or produced together. The record
describes units defined by common provenance or administrative convenience
for which the record is intended as the most comprehensive in the system.
- d - Subunit
A part of a collection, especially an archival unit
described collectively elsewhere in the system. The record contains fields
that describe the subunit and data that identify the Host Item Entry (field
773).
- m - Monograph/item
An item either complete in one part or intended
to be completed in a finite number of separate parts.
- s - Serial
An item issued in successive parts bearing numerical or
chronological designations and intended to be continued
indefinitely.
- 08 - Type of control
- # - No specific type of control
- a - Archival control
- 09 - Character coding scheme
A one-character code that identifies the
character coding scheme used in the record.
- # - MARC-8
- a - UCS/Unicode
- 10 - Indicator count
The computer-generated number 2 that indicates
the number of character positions used for indicators in a variable data
field.
- 11 - Subfield code count
The computer-generated number 2 that
indicates the number of character positions used for each subfield code in a
variable data field.
- 12-16 - Base address of data
The computer-generated, five-character
numeric string that indicates the first character position of the first
variable control field in a record. The number is right justified and each
unused position contains a zero.
- 17 - Encoding level
A one-character code that indicates the fullness
of the bibliographic information and/or content designation of the MARC
record.
- # - Full level
The most complete MARC level created from information
derived from an inspection of the physical item.
- 1 - Full level, material not examined
The information used in
creating the record is derived from an extant description of the item
without reinspection of the physical item. This code is used primarily in
the retrospective conversion of records when all of the information on the
extant description is transcribed. Certain control field coding and other
data elements are based only on explicit information in the description.
- 2 - Less-than-full level, material not examined
The information used
in creating the record is derived from an extant description of the item
without reinspection of the physical item. This code is used primarily in
the retrospective conversion of records when all of the descriptive access
points but only a specified subset of other data elements are transcribed.
Authoritative headings may not be current.
- 3 - Abbreviated level
Indicates a brief record that does not meet
the National Level Bibliographic Record minimal level cataloging
specifications. Headings in the records may reflect established forms to the
extent that such forms were available at the time the record was created.
- 4 - Core level
- 5 - Partial (preliminary) level
A record that is not considered
final by the creating agency (e.g., the headings may not reflect established
forms; the record may not meet national-level cataloging specifications).
- 7 - Minimal level
A record that meets the national-level
bibliographic record minimal-level cataloging specifications and is
considered final by the creating agency. Headings reflect established forms.
The U.S. requirements for minimal-level records can be found in National
Level and Minimal Level Record Requirements (/elib/marchtml/nlr/)
- 8 - Prepublication level
Indicates a prepublication level record.
This includes records create in cataloging in publication programs.
- u - Unknown
This code is used by an agency receiving or sending data
to replace a local code when the appropriate MARC encoding level code cannot
be determined. Code u is not used in newly input or updated records.
- z - Not applicable
The encoding level concept does not apply to the
record.
- 18 - Descriptive cataloging form
A one-character code that indicates
the descriptive cataloging form reflected in the record. Subfield e
(Description conventions) of field 040 (Cataloging Source) may contain
additional information on the cataloging conventions used.
- # - Non-ISBD
The descriptive portion of the record does not follow
International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD) cataloging and
punctuation provisions.
- a - AACR 2
The descriptive portion of the record and the choice and
form of entry of the access points are formulated according to either the
second edition of the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules or cataloging
manuals based on AACR 2. The punctuation practices of ISBD apply.
- i - ISBD
The descriptive portion of the record is formulated
according to the descriptive and punctuation provisions of ISBD. The heading
forms are not formulated according to AACR 2. This category includes records
that use ISBD punctuation but the other conventions used are unknown.
- u - Unknown
An organization receiving or sending data in Leader/18
cannot determine the appropriate descriptive cataloging form used in the
record. Code u is not used in newly input or updated records.
- 19 - Linked record requirement
A one-character code that indicates
whether a note containing basic identification information (i.e., main entry
and title, main entry and uniform title, main entry under uniform title,
title, uniform title, Standard Technical Report Number, or report number) can
be generated from a Linking Entry field (76X-78X).
- # - Related record not required
The record contains basic
identification information in every Linking Entry field in the record or in
a related Linking Entry Complexity Note (field 580), or the record contains
no 76X-78X Linking Entry field.
- r - Related record required
The record contains at least one 76X-78X
Linking Entry field that does not contain basic identification information
and contains no related Linking Entry Complexity Note (field 580) with basic
identification information.
- 20-23 - Entry map
Four computer-generated, single-digit numeric
characters that indicate the structure of each entry in the Directory.
- 20 - Length of the length-of-field portion
Contains a 4
- 21 - Length of the starting-character-position portion
Contains a 5
- 22 - Length of the implementation-defined portion
Contains a 0
- 23 - Undefined Entry map character position
Contains a 0
Go to top of
document
A computer-generated index to the location
of the variable control and data fields within a record. The Directory
immediately follows the Leader at character position 24 and consists of a series
of fixed-length (12 character positions) entries that give the tag, length, and
starting character position of each variable field.
Character Positions
- 00-02 - Tag
Three numeric or alphabetic (uppercase or lowercase, but
not both) characters that identify an associated field.
- 03-06 - Field length
Four numeric characters that indicate the length
of the field, including indicators, subfield codes, data, and the field
terminator. The number is right justified and each unused position contains a
zero.
- 07-11 - Starting character position
Five numeric characters that
indicate the starting character position of the field relative to the Base
address of data (Leader/12-16) of the record. The number is right justified
and each unused position contains a zero.
Go to top of
document
Return to the MARC 21 Concise
Format for Bibliographic Data Home Page
Go to the MARC Home Page
Go to the Library of Congress Home Page
Library of
Congress
Comments: lcweb@loc.gov
(01-21-2000/jer)