The Leader and the 008 Field in MARC Bibliographic Records

A Refresher Session for SIRIS Members, January 14, 2010

What is the Fixed Field?

• The leader together with the 008 field is commonly referred to as the “Fixed Field”

• Each bibliographic record consists of a fixed field, directory, the variable control fields (0XX), and the variable fields (01X-9XX)

• The 008 field is made up of character positions numbered from 00 through 39

• Some of the character positions are system-supplied• The data elements of the leader and 008 field are

positionally-defined, so that certain information (such as the date of creation) is coded in a consistent spot

Why Do We Use the Fixed Field?

• It contains coded information that is crucial for accurate searching and display of the information in the bibliographic record, such as:

• Type of material• Encoding level• Language• Collection or item level

Characteristics of the Fixed Field

• The fixed field has no indicators or subfield codes

• In SIRIS, the fixed field appears as the 000, 005, and 008

• The fixed field has a few mandatory data elements (depending on the format); other elements may be required if applicable, or optional. A helpful list of input standards is at http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/fixedfield/default.shtm

“The Leader” (Tag 000 in SIRIS)• Contains 24 character positions (numbered 00-23)

http://www.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/bdleader.html

SIRIS Leader codes include:

• Record status (RecS)• Type (Type) • Bibliographic level (BLvl)• Type of control (Cntl)• Encoding level (ELvl)• Descriptive cataloging form (CatF)• Linked record requirement (Link)

Leader (000) Tag for an Item-Level Manuscript Volume

The 005 Field

• Date and Time of Latest Transaction• Sixteen characters that indicate the date and

time of the latest record transaction and serve as a version identifier for the record

• Always System-Supplied

Example:005 19940223151047.0

The 008 Field: Fixed-Length Data Elements

• “Date” (00-05) is the system-supplied date that the record was entered (yymmdd)

• “DtSt” (06) is the type of date / publication status:

“s” for a single year (item level) “m” for multiple years (item level) “q” for a questionable date (item level) “i” for inclusive dates (collection level) “k” for range of years for the bulk of a collection

The 008 Field: Fixed-Length Data Elements

• Character positions 18-34 are defined independently for 7 different types of materials (Books, Computer files, Maps, Music, Continuing resources, Visual materials and Mixed materials)

http://www.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/bd008.html

008

• “Dates” (07-10 for date 1; and 11-14 for date 2, when applicable) record the single year or range of years for the creation of the material

• “Ctry” (15-17), identifying the place of publication, production, or execution, is a 2 or 3 character code taken from The MARC code list for countries: http://www.loc.gov/marc/countries/cou_home.html

Ctry should reflect the location in the 260 $a, if any; use “xx#” if not applicable

008: Cataloging Source

• Character position 39, “Cataloging source” (SIRIS label: Srce) is a one-character code that indicates the original cataloging source of the record. Archival units should always use code “d”, since the Smithsonian is not a national bibliographic agency like LC or NAL (SIL sometimes uses code “c” for items cataloged for PCC or the Program for Cooperative Cataloging)

Where Can I Learn About the Fixed Field?

• The MARC Standards homepage (maintained by the Library of Congress)

http://www.loc.gov/marc/

• MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data (full and concise versions)

http://www.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/ecbdhome.html

Some Examples from SIRIS

Fixed Field Non-Expanded View for an Item Level Manuscript Volume

Fixed Field Expanded View for an Item Level Manuscript Volume

Expanded Labeled Vertical View for an Item Level Manuscript Volume

Manuscript Language Material (Leader Type: t)

• Type “t” is used for manuscript language material or a microform of manuscript language material

• Applied to items for language material in handwriting, typescript, or computer printout including printed materials completed by hand or by keyboard

• At the time it is created, this material is usually intended, either implicitly or explicitly, to exist as a single (unique) instance

• Examples: manuscript books and documents, marked or corrected galley and page proofs, legal papers, and unpublished theses and dissertations

Single Item (Monographic) Manuscript (Leader Type: t; BLvl: m)

Collection Level Manuscript (Leader Type: t; BLvl: c)

Musical Sound Recordings

Musical Sound Recording (Leader type: j; Blvl m)

• 008 shows elements applicable to music

• Example includes 007 coding for physical characteristics of the sound recording

Musical Sound RecordingLeader Type: j; BLvl: m; 008 for music

Videorecordings, Motion Pictures, etc.

Videorecording (Leader type: g)

• Leader Type: g (use g for motion pictures, videorecordings (including digital video), filmstrips, slides, transparencies or material specifically designed for projection)

• BLvl: m• Includes 007 coding for physical characteristics

of the videorecording• 008 for Visual Materials• VMat: v

Videorecording Leader Type: g; BLvl: m; 008 for Visual

Visual Materials: 2-Dimensional Projected Graphics

2-Dimensional Projected Graphics (Leader Type: g; Mdes: s)

• Slides; Filmstrips; Transparencies

http://www.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/bd007g.html

SIRIS special codes:

• Specific material designation (MDes)• Color (Colr)• Base of emulsion (Beml)• Sound on medium or separate (Smed)• Medium for sound (MedS)• Dimensions (Dime)• Secondary support material (SecM)

2-Dimensional Projected Graphics Slide (Leader Type: g; Mdes: s)

2-Dimensional Non-Projected Graphics(Leader Type: k)

2-Dimensional Non-Projected Graphics (Leader Type: k)

• Drawings; paintings; photographic prints; posters; etc.http://www.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/bd007k.html

SIRIS special codes:

• Specific material designation (Mdes)• Color (Colr)• Primary support material (PriM)• Secondary support material (SecM)

Visual Materials Non-Projected Graphic Diorama (Leader Type: k; VMat: k)

Mixed Materials: Collection Level (Type: p)

Mixed Materials (Leader Type: p)

• Used when there are significant materials in two or more forms that are usually related by virtue of their having been accumulated by or about a person or body

• Includes archival fonds and manuscript collections of mixed forms of materials, such as text, photographs, and sound recordings

Mixed Materials: Collection Level (Leader Type: p; BLvl: c)

Mixed Materials (Leader type: p; Blvl: c)

Realia and 3-Dimensional Artifacts

Realia and 3-Dimensional Artifacts [Leader type: r]

• Includes man-made objects such as models, dioramas, games, puzzles, simulations, sculptures, clothing, toys, etc.

• Also includes naturally occurring objects (such as microscope specimens or representations of them) and other specimens mounted for viewing

Eames Giant House of Cards: http://www.eamesgallery.com/cart/prod_subcat.php?id=4

3-Dimensional Artifact, a Toy(Leader type: r; Vmat: w)