MARC+fields

= MARC Fields =

The most common MARC fields can be divided into three groups: and
 * physical description of the item (commonly called descriptive cataloging)
 * access points to help patrons find the item (commonly called subject cataloging)
 * control fields which help your circulation software manage the records. (Which includes the element commonly called classification)

The basic divisions of the MARC 21 bibliographic record are: The 9XXs have been left for locally-defined uses, such as local barcode numbers. Local libraries, vendors, or systems can define and use them for attaching other types of information to records. (X9Xs in each of these groups -- 09X, 59X, etc. -- are also reserved for local use, except 490.) (source: "Understanding MARC Records: Section III MARC terms and their definitions" Catalogers Desktop, LOC.)
 * || 0XX ||  || Control information, numbers, codes ||
 * || 1XX ||  || Main entry ||
 * || 2XX ||  || Titles, edition, imprint (in general, the title, statement of responsibility, edition, and publication information ) ||
 * || 3XX ||  || Physical description, etc. ||
 * || 4XX ||  || Series statements (as shown in the book) ||
 * || 5XX ||  || Notes ||
 * || 6XX ||  || Subject added entries ||
 * || 7XX ||  || Added entries other than subject or series ||
 * || 8XX ||  || Series added entries (other authoritative forms) ||

= School Library Media Implications = In a school library media setting, the most focused on fields are generally the first two, and even those can be narrowed further. While thorough cataloging is obviously the goal, should an item need to get cataloged and onto the shelves in as little time as possible, a basic record could be pared down to no more than 4 tags.

100-The main entry field. 245-The title field 520-Summary and a 6xx tag for subject access (using your judgment to choose the tag which you feel most of your patrons will search)

An example entry might look like this (Note: Punctuation, capitalization and spacing altered from standard cataloging practice for clarity)

100 1_ $a Riordan, Rick 245 14 $a The Red Pyramid /$c by Rick Riordan 520 __ $a Brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane accidentally unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes the doctor to oblivion and forces his two children to embark on a dangerous journey, bringing them closer to the truth about their family and its links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the Pharoahs. 650 _1 $a Mythology, Egyptian $v Fiction.


 * the $ symbol is used to indicate subfield. Your cataloging software may use a different key or symbol.

For an overview/reference resource on all of the MARC fields, see MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data which is maintained by the LOC Network Development and MARC standards office.