MAchine Readable Cataloguing

Machine Readable Cataloguing (MARC) is an international standard that is used to create computerized bibliographic records.  These records are shared amongst other libraries by “copy cataloguing”.  MARC uses descriptive elements of an item such as the title, author, physical characteristics, etc., into a code that online library databases can recognize and convert into data that can be understood by users.  We use MARC21 which is a combination of Canadian MARC and USMARC.  The official site can be found at http://www.loc.gov/marc/ .

MARC Structure

Field – An area of description

Tag – a three digit symbol that represents each field

            Tags by area of description:

                        245 - Title and Statement of Responsibility

                        250 - Edition Area

                        260 - Publication, Distribution, etc

                        300 - Physical Description

                        5XX - Note Area

                        0XX - Standard Numbers

Indicators – follow and define each tag.   It is important that Indicator positions be recorded accurately in order to provide accurate search results.

Sub-tag – used to separate each element within each field and are represented by letters (a, b, c, d, e)

Delimiter – a symbol that us used to designate a sub-tag usually a dollar sign ($a, $b)