MARC 21

MAchine Readable Cataloging

Laura Hawley and Cara Orban

MARC 21

Stands for “machine readable cataloging.”21 is the latest version and refers to the

twenty-first century.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.

MARC 21

The original version, LC MARC, was created by the Library of Congress in the 1960s.

The LOC maintains MARC 21 to this day.

HISTORY

Librarians have shared cataloging information long before the advent of computers.

Cataloging sources:

Library of Congress, Cataloging in Publication (CIP), library journals

Computers improve sharing capabilities

The new MARC system allowed libraries to use and contribute records, or simply to purchase computer-printed cards from LOC.

Modern libraries can store MARC records on their online catalogs.

MARC Regulation

MARBI

• Represents three ALA groups: ALCTS, LITA, and RUSA

• Assures that all types of expertise are considered

MARC Advisory Committee

• Represents national libraries, vendors, and bibliographic utilities

• Discusses proposals for changes or additions

Specifications

LOC created the first edition of this document in 1987.

Provides technical information on MARC records.

Standards

Standards established for exchange of MARC records by floppy diskette, FTP

Anyone who distributes cataloging data should be able to provide standard MARC 21 cataloging in standard format.

MARC’s Construction

• Divided into sections, beginning with a tag

• Indicators help with form, spacing

• Subfields: staff, lowercase letter

• These fields indicate how the record should appear in the catalog.

245 1 4 +a The stranger

Title Stranger, The

Important MARC fields

020 050 100 245 250 650 800

ISBN # Library of Congress # Personal name Title Edition statement Topical subject Other personal

names

Subfields: can be as specific as needed.

Example:

name main entry a: personal name b: numeration c: title d: dates

100 0_

+aJohn Paul +bII, +cPope, +d1920-2005.

Standardization

To take full advantage of MARC’s sharing capabilities, we must use standardized records.

Sears List of Subject Headings

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Authority Control (from http://authorities.loc.gov)

SOURCE OF HEADINGS: Library of Congress Online Catalog

INFORMATION FOR: Twain, Mark, 1835-1910 Please note: Broader Terms are not currently available

Select a Link Below to Continue...

Authority Record

Scope Note

See Also:  Clemens, Samuel Langhorne, 1835-1910

See Also:  Snodgrass, Quintus Curtius, 1835-1910

See Also:  Conte, Louis de, 1835-1910

MARC 21 Advantages

The most commonly used system in library catalogs

Easily duplicated and standardized

Improves ease and efficiency, cooperation

Can be formatted for any type of library

Dissenters say:

“There are only two kinds of people who believe themselves able to read a MARC record without referring to a stack of manuals: a handful of our top catalogers and those on serious drugs.” – Roy Tennant

MARC 21 Disadvantages

Not enough focus on electronic resources

Too complex Redundant English language and

Western oriented

Suggestions

Expand field use for greater searching capability

More focus on electronic resourcesUse complexity to advantageImprove non-English or non-Western

MARC systems

The Future of MARC 21

Flexibility, reliability, granularity

Partnering with new technologies

Sources

http://www.loc.gov/marc/umb/um01to06.html

http://www.statoids.com/wmarchis.html

Khurshid, Z. (2002). From MARC to MARC 21 and beyond: some reflections on MARC and the Arabic language. Library Hi Tech, 20 (3), 370-377.

Tennant, R. (2002). MARC must die. Library Journal, October 15, 26-27.

Yee, M. (2004). New perspectives on the shared cataloging environment and a MARC 21 shopping list. Library Services & Technical Services Abstracts, 48

(3), 165-175.