Marc 21

Introduction to MARC
History (MARC to MARC 21)
Why MARC 21/Need of MARC 21
Characteristics
Design principle for MARC 21
MARC 21 Documentation
MARC 21Record System
MARC 21 Communication formats
MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data
Component of bibliographic record
Communication Standard
Mapping of MARC 21
MARC 21 Translation
Maintenance Agency
MARC 21 Regulation
Advantage of MARC 21
Problems with MARC 21
Future of MARC 21

1. MARC 21 PRABHAKAR SHEKHAR MLIS, DLIS, Pondicherry University PUDUCHERRY

2. Overview of Presentation Introduction History Why MARC 21/Need of MARC 21 Characteristics Design principle for MARC 21 MARC 21 Documentation MARC 21Record System MARC 21 Communication formats MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data Component of bibliographic record Communication Standard Mapping of MARC 21 MARC 21 Translation Maintenance Agency MARC 21 Regulation Advantage of MARC 21 Problems with MARC 21 Future of MARC 21 Conclusion References

3. Introduction MARC is the acronym for MA chine - R eadable C ataloging . “ Machine-readable ” means that one particular type of machine, a computer, can read and interpret the data in the cataloging record. “ Cataloging record ” means a bibliographic record, or the information traditionally shown on a catalog card. It provides the mechanism by which computers exchange, use, and interpret bibliographic information , and its data elements .

4. ... contd Standards for exchanging Catalogue Records . Standard for the description of the digital format of any item. Enables computers to interpret the information found in a traditional cataloging record by way of data, or “signposts” placed before each field of bibliographic information 21 is the latest version and refers to the 21 st century. Institutions do not store “MARC 21”, as it is a communication format It is the foundation of most library catalogs used today.

5. History Libraries had shared cataloging information long before the advent of computers. Computer Scientist Henriette Avram who worked in Library of Congress created MARC in 1960s so that records can be shared among libraries. It defines a data format that emerged from a Library of Congress -led initiative that began nearly forty years ago. Originally the Library of Congress program was called LC MARC . 1968 – LC and BNB* together form MARC II , aiming to be an Anglo-American format In 1980s it became USMARC 1968-98 – Over 50 MARC formats developed worldwide 1994-97 - the USMARC and CAN/MARC user communities worked to eliminate all remaining differences in there two already similar formats. *BNB(British National Bibliography carried out its own studies separate from LC between 1950s -60s :-UKMARC

6. .... contd (Journey from MARC to MARC 21) Compatibility had been a feature of the development process for both formats for many years. In 1997 and early 1998 ,updates to the formats were issued that made the format specifications identical. MARC 21 is not a new format . It is a continuation of both USMARC and CAN/MARC, publish the formats in a single edition in early 1999 under a new name: MARC 21 . The name both points to the moving towards 21st century and suggests the international character of the format , which is appropriate and important given its expanding worldwide use. The Library of Congress and the National Library of Canada announced the new name MARC 21 to the harmonized USMARC and CAN/MARC formats in early 1999.

7. ....contd. MARC 21 Harmonized USMARC and CAN/MARC Pilot project of LC * 1966 MARC- I 1968 MARC-II 1980s MARC 21 USMARC 1997-99 *1. for the potential use of an automated system 2. development of a machine readable format for library records MARC I I is a permanent subscription service

8. Why MARC 21 ? To fulfil the need of uniform record format(structure) to meet the paradigm shift taking place in Libraries from... Own collection to Library without walls* In sourcing to Out sourcing Local reach to Global reach** One medium to Multiple media *** made shared cataloguing a reality The MARC record acts as a uniform record structure for the representation of disparate information types , including manuscripts, archives, cartographic material, musical scores, serial, Sound recording and so on. *Union Catalogue **Trans-border data flow of information ***Non-book materials

9. ...contd.. Cost : Shared format development/maintenance costs Reduced systems costs Increased choice Bigger user base Access to experienced developers Made library automation affordable

10. Characteristics Interoperability National formats impede exchange of data Shared cataloguing Wider access Common development platform It is well placed with other schema like AACR 2,RDA Flexible Existing element can be used to describe new data set Extensible New element can be added to core element to often increase choose-ability

11. ... contd Example of extensible character :-Addition of the new field which is used in MARC 21 when using metadata standard 336 – Content type 337 –Media type 338 – Carrier type

12. MARC 21 Documentation MARC Standards Page has links to both extensive documentation on MARC 21, including both the full and concise formats, code and field lists,

13. MARC 21 Record System The leader The directory The variable fields Fixed fields Variable fields Tags Indicators Delimiters Subfield Codes Description Subject headings Classification numbers Main and added entries

14. Record Structure Design principles for MARC 21 MARC 21 format is a set of codes and content designators defined for encoding a particular type of machine-readable record . The record structure is an implementation of the international standard format for Information exchange (ISO 2709) and its American counterpart, Bibliographic Information Interchange (ANSI/NISO Z39.2) The MARC Record structure consist of three main component:- The leader The directory The variable fields

15. Content Designation The codes and conventions established explicitly to identify and further characterize the data elements within a record It supports the sorting of data only to a limited extent. The MARC 21 formats provide for using content designation, to specify recommended display constants Variable fields Contain specific pieces of information identified by: Tags Indicators Delimiters Subfield Codes

16. Field Field :- Each bibliographic record is divided logically into fields . There is a field for the author, a field for title information and so on. These fields are subdivided into one or more “subfields”. They are represented by 3-digit tags . Many tag field has equip the possibility and responsibility to use subfield to encode additional information The subfield data designated and interpreted by man.

17. Subfield codes Single letters or digits indicate what type of information is in a subfield Subfield are smaller piece of information You can have more than one subfield

18. Tags A tag :- Each field is associated with 3-digit number called a “tag”. A tag identifies the field --the kind of data-- That follows. MARC 21 formats use only numeric tags . The tag stored in the directory entry for the field, not in the field itself. Here the number 100 is the tag 100 1# Sa Pirsig , Robert M. Variable field tags are defined in blocks according to the first character of the tag , which with some exceptions, identifies the general function of the field’s data within a record. The type of information in the field is identified by the remainder of the tag . The meaning of these blocks depends upon the type of record.

19. Indicators Indicators :- Digits or blanks that give the computer instructions or information about the data contained in the field Two character positions follow each tag(with the exception of fields 001 through 009). One or both of these character positions may be used for indicators. When an indicators position is not used, that indicator is referred to as “ undefined ” and the position is left blank It is the convention to represent a blank, or undefined, indicator position by the character “#”

20. Delimiters Tell the computer where each subfield will start Denoted as $ ,#,_,etc...

21. Example to describe the design principle for MARC 21 245 10 $ a Once upon a town: $ b the miracle of the North Platte Canteen/ $ c Bob Greene 245 = Title and statement of responsibility 10 = Author main entry; no non-filing characters a= title proper b= remainder of title c= statement of responsibility Tag ( 3 digit nos.) Indicator (2 digit nos.) $ Delimiters ( 1 digit) a b Subfield codes c

22. MARC 21 Communication formats Five formats published in new edition of MARC 21 in that make up the MARC 21 family of formats. These formats are primarily designed to provide specifications for the exchange of information between systems . These five communication formats are:- MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data MARC 21 Format for Authority Data MARC 21 Format for Holdings Data MARC 21 Format for Classification Data MARC 21 Format for Community Data

23. MARC 21 record models Bibliographic record Describes all facets of the resource Stand alone, can represent an item Distinguished from all types of MARC records by specific codes in Leader Holdings record Detail on physical location, holdings, and condition Can be partially embedded in bibliographic record Authority record Assists in maintaining consistency across bibliographic records Provides reference structure that helps catalog users But not essential for exchange of bibliographic description since bibliographic records can stand alone

24. MARC 21 Formats for Bibliographic Data It is designed to be a carrier for bibliographic information about ... Printed and manuscript textual materials (BK) Continuing resources * (CR) Computer files(CF) Maps (MP) Music(MU) Visual materials(VM) Mixed materials ** (MX) Bibliographic data commonly includes... Titles Names Subjects Notes Publication data Information about the physical description of an item. Prior to 2002, Continuing resources(CR) were referred to as Serials(SE) **Prior to 1994, Mixed materials were referred to as Archival and Manuscript material(AM)

25. Full version Vs. Concise Version (MARC 21 Formats for Bibliographic Data) “ Full” bibliographic format Contains detailed descriptions of every data elements, along with examples, input conventions , and history sections . “Concise” bibliographic format Contains abridged descriptions of every data element, along with examples. MARC 21 online publication provides access to both the full and concise version

26. Screenshot of Online publication

27. Component of bibliographic record Leader – Data elements that primarily provide information for the processing of the record . The data elements contain numbers or coded values and are identified by relative character position . The leader is fixed in length at 24 character positions beginning from 00 to 23 The leader is the first field of a MARC record. String: ʘʘ8ʘ2c a m__22ʘʘ241_ a _4500 Position: ʘ12....... 6 ....................... 18 ......24 ‘ a ’ position 6 – record is for a book or printed serial ‘a’ position 18 – AACR2 (current cataloging rule followed)

28. ...contd...(Directory) Directory- A series of entries that contain the tag, length, and starting location of each variable field within a record. Each entry is 12 character positions in length The directory begins in character position 24 of the record and ends with a field terminator . Examples Tag Field length Starting character position Entry 1 001 0013 00000 Entry 2 003 0004 00013 Entry 3 005 0017 00017

29. ...contd..(Variable fields) Variable fields :- Into which we enter our bibliographic information follow the leader and the directory in the record and consist of control fields and data fields . Control fields precede data fields in the record and are arranged in the same sequence as the corresponding entries in the directory. CONTROL FIELD DATA FIELD assigned tags beginning with two zeroes Contain Data Field terminator assigned tags beginning with ASCII numeric characters other than two zeroes Contain Indicator Subfield code Data Field terminator

30. MARC record with... Leader , Directory , Variable data field highlighted 00802cam##2200241#a#4500 001001300000003000400013005001700017008004100034020001800075040001800093043001200111050002600123082001500149100001800164245004200182260003500224300002100259650002400280650002600304650003300330856010600363856009100469@ ##2006040204@[email protected]@060210s2006#### nyu ###########000#1#eng##@ ##$a9780385336642@##$ aDLC$cDLC$dDLC @##$asp@00$aPS3601.R345$bc46#2006#00$a813/.6#222#1@$aArana,#Marie.@10$acellophane#:$ ba#novel L D FT CNF FT CF_1 FT .... CF_n FT DF_1 FT .... DF_n FT RT

31. Communication Standards ISO 2709 –Bibliographic information Exchange ISO= International Organisation for standardization http://www.iso.ch ANSI Z39.2- Bibliographic information interchange ANSI=American National Standards Institute http://www.ansi.org Standards established for exchange of MARC records by floppy diskette, FTP

32. MARC 21 Mapping to other meta data standards MARC 21 has been mapped to the following meta data standards :- MODS (Metadata Object Description Schema) Dublin Core (DC) RDA MARC Character sets to UCS/ Unicode Digital Geospatial metadata

33. MARC 21 Translation MARC 21 Translations page contain a list of documents that are either direct translations or close adaptations of MARC 21 formats and other MARC documentation Where applicable, information regarding difference between the translation and MARC 21 is provided. The formats are listed alphabetically by the language of each translation and include full bibliographic citations and contact information.

34. Maintenance Agency Following offices maintain the MARC 21 Formats :- The Network development and MARC Standards office at the Library of Congress (USA) . The Standards and the support office at the Library and Archives Canada . Input for the development is provided by MARC 21 users from around the world. Frequency of updates :- Two times per year -Spring -Fall

35. MARC Regulation (Who review and revise Contents) Two groups review and revise MARC 21 Content :- MARC Advisory Committee - represents national libraries, vendors and bibliographic utilities - discusses proposals for changes or additions MARBI ( Ma chine R eadable Form of Bibliographic I nformation) Committee - Committee of the ALA (ALCTS,LITA and RUSA) - assures that all types of expertise are considered

36. Advantages of MARC 21 Easily duplicated and standardized (other lang.) Can carry data formulated by different cataloging rules and conventions Transmits data from one system to another Allow libraries to share authority data that is predictable and reliable Can be formatted for any type of library Improves ease, efficiency and cooperation

37. Problems with MARC 21 Not enough focus on electronic resources Too complex Redundant data (fixed Vs. Variable fields) Lack of explicit hierarchical levels Controlled values embedded in the standard Limitation of available fields, subfields, indicator values, etc. English language and western oriented

38. The future of MARC 21 Streamlining MARC 21 into the future :- Take advantage of XML Develop simpler(but compatible) alternatives Allow for interoperability with different XML metadata schemas Provide continuity with current data partnering with the new technologies Challenges to MARC 21 by the followings:- LC’S BIBFRAME (Bibliographic Data) W3C’s RDF (Linked Data) There is strong support in the library world to adapt and improve the MARC 21 system, rather than switch systems completely

39. Conclusion MARC 21 is not a cataloguing standard, it is a Communication standard and a framework for exchanging catalogue records MARC 21 = USMARC + CAN/MARC MARC 21 developed in 1997-98 & 1 st published in 1999 as named MARC 21 MARC 21 record acts as a uniform record structure for the representation of disparate information types MARC 21 may appear difficult at first, but with knowledge and use, it will begin to make sense. As you become more familiar with MARC, the simpler it will become.

40. References http://www.loc.gov/marc/ https://www.loc.gov/cds/PDFdownloads/marc accessed on 27.07.2017 https://www.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/bdintro.html accessed on 28.07.2017 http://icweb.loc.gov/marc accessed on 28.07.2017

41. THANK YOU