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MARC Documentation From CDS

Introduction; Ordering Information, Related Products
Understanding MARC Authority Records
Understanding MARC Bibliographic
MARC 21 Concise Formats
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 Information
MARC Code lists: Languages, Countries, Geographic Areas, Organizations, Relators
MARC 21 Specifications for Record Structure, Character Sets, and Exchange Media
MARC Format: Proposed Changes
Library of Congress Copyright Data as Distributed in the MARC 21 Format
The Complete MARC Package

Stay up to date with MARC information--visit the MARC web page of the Library of Congress frequently.

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Introduction

Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) has been the standard in library automation for nearly 30 years. It forms the backbone of today's automated library systems, networks, and bibliographical utilities around the world. The MARC products developed at the Library of Congress set the standard for MARC cataloging documentation.

The Library of Congress, the British Library, and the National Library of Canada harmonized the USMARC, UKMARC, and CAN/MARC formats, and joined their MARC documentation to form MARC 21. All USMARC products have become MARC 21 products.

Important ordering information:

• If you are a new MARC documentation customer, be sure to purchase the appropriate base text in order to get full use and value from the updates.
• All updates to base texts are also sold separately.
• Watch for updates to the MARC looseleaf formats. Enter a standing order and never worry again about missing a new edition or crucial update.

Place a standing order for updates to these important manuals so you can be sure they come to you without delay. Now CDS offers updates for all five MARC 21 formats at a special package price (See below).

The Complete MARC Package


Save 10% when you purchase a complete set of MARC documentation as a package! The complete MARC package includes the latest edition of all MARC format documentation and code lists.

MARC Documentation also on the Web

Remember: the MARC format documents and code lists are available also on the Web in Cataloger's Desktop. Access the full text of LC's most heavily used cataloging publications, including MARC documentation, plus dozens of other cataloging and metadata resources.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS

Understanding MARC Authority Records (2004) 2nd edition

The second publication in the "Understanding MARC" series provides a great introduction to MARC authority records. Helps librarians and others discover the information that may seem hidden behind the record's unfamiliar codes. Ideal for library school students who can use this booklet as an easy guide to MARC authority codes for cataloging classes. Automated library system vendors will find the booklet a handy introduction for their clients to the importance of using standardized MARC data. 28 pages. 0.22 ounces. ISBN 0-8444-1113-2

Price Schedule (North America and outside North America)
2004 edition
1-24 copies -- $5 each
Packs of 25 -- $60 per pack
Boxes of 100 -- $100 per box

Also available on the Web at: http://www.loc.gov/marc/uma

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Understanding MARC Bibliographic (2003)
7th edition

An introduction to MARC. This booklet helps librarians and others pull out the information that might seem hidden behind the unfamiliar codes of a MARC record. Librarians who are facing a switch to an automated system can quickly learn how machine-readable cataloging relates to their familiar card catalog. Library school students can use the booklet as an easy guide to the MARC codes for their cataloging class. And vendors of automated library systems will find that the booklet is a handy introduction for their clients to the importance of using standardized MARC data. 29 pages. 0.22 ounces. ISBN 0-8444-1081-0

Price Schedule (North America and outside North America)
2003 edition
1-24 copies -- $5 each
Packs of 25 -- $60 per pack
Boxes of 100 -- $100 per box

Also available on the Web at: www.loc.gov/marc/umb/

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MARC 21 Concise Formats (2008)

Brings together in one volume all content designators defined for each MARC communication format. A concise description of each field, character position of the fixed-length data element fields, and defined indicators and subfield codes in the variable data fields that may occur in a bibliographic, authority, holdings, classification, or community information record. Looseleaf. (1v.) Packaged with binder and tabbed dividers. 2.0 pounds. ISBN 0-8444-1152-3.

Also available on the Web at http://www.loc.gov/marc/marcdocz.html

Price:
North America: $50
Outside North America: $60

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MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data

Including Guidelines for Content Designation (1999)

If you are a new customer
If you already have the base text and only need updates

Here is the standard for representing and exchanging bibliographic data in machine-readable form. Supersedes the 1994 edition of USMARC Format for Bibliographic Data and Updates Nos. 1-9 (1995-2009). This comprehensive publication specifies the structure of the MARC bibliographic record, defines the codes and conventions that identify data elements in MARC bibliographic records, describes in detail the use of each content designator, and provides input conventions for each content designator. Includes two binders. Looseleaf. (2v.) Packaged with binders and tabbed dividers. 4 pounds 6.8 ounces. ISBN 0-8444-0989-8

Also available in Cataloger's Desktop.

Special Ordering Information:
MARC 21 publications in English are distributed worldwide--except in Canada--by the Cataloging Distribution Service of the Library of Congress.
The French version of MARC 21 and the English version in Canada are available from Canadian Government Publishing, PWGSC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A OS9 Canada. Tel: (819) 956-4802 Fax: (819) 994-1498

Prices and Product Options:

Of special interest to new customers....
Base Text - 2009 Cumulation (1999 edition with Updates 1-9 interfiled)
Price:
$70 in North America (except Canada; see "Special Ordering Information" above)
$80 outside North America

Updates also available separately
Update No. 4 (2003) * 0.82 ounces
Update No. 5 (2004) * 0.32 ounces
Update No. 6 (2005) * 0.48 ounces
Update No. 7 (2006) * 0.32 ounces
Update No. 8 (2007) * 1 pound 1 ounce
Update No. 9 (2008) * 0.66 ounces
Important news about Update No. 8 (2007)
Prices: Update Nos. 4-7, each $15 (worldwide, except Canada. See "Special Ordering Information" above.)
Update No. 8 (2007) and Update 9 (2008), $10 (worldwide, except Canada. See "Special Ordering Information" above.)

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MARC 21 Format for Authority Data

Including Guidelines for Content Designation (1999)

If you are a new customer
If you already have the base text and only need updates

Format for records to communicate standard forms for names of persons and organizations, series titles, uniform titles, and subject terms that are used in bibliographic records. The format also includes fields for cross-references, for linking to headings in other thesauri, and for indicative treatment for series. Important for catalog consistency; essential for participants in cooperative authority file programs such as NACO. Looseleaf. (1v). Packaged with binder and tabbed dividers. 2 pounds 3.8 ounces. ISBN 0-8444-0997-9

Also available in Cataloger's Desktop.

Special Ordering Information:
MARC 21 publications in English are distributed worldwide--except in Canada--by the Cataloging Distribution Service of the Library of Congress.
The French version of MARC 21 and the English version in Canada are available from Canadian Government Publishing, PWGSC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A OS9 Canada. Tel: (819) 956-4802 Fax: (819) 994-1498

Prices and Product Options:

Of special interest to new customers....
Base Text (1999 edition with Updates 1-4 interfiled)
Price:
$50 in North America (except Canada; see "Special Ordering Information" above)
$60 outside North America

Updates also available separately
Update No. 5 (2004) * 024 ounces
Update No. 6 (2005) * 0.14 ounces
Update No. 7 (2006) * 0.24 ounces
Update No. 8 (2007) * 1 pound 1 ounce
Update No. 9 (2008) * 0.66 ounces
Important news about Update No. 8 (2007)
Price per update: $10 (worldwide, except Canada. See "Special Ordering Information" above.)

Return to list of MARC documentation from CDS

MARC 21 Format for Holdings Data

Including Guidelines for Content Designation (2000)

If you are a new customer
If you already have the base text and only need updates

Defines the codes and conventions (tags, indicators, subfield codes, and coded values) that identify elements in MARC holdings reports for serial and nonserial items. Important for local and union catalogs, online catalogs, cooperative acquisitions, collection development, preservation programs, national union catalogs, union list activities, and as a link in fully automated interlibrary loan and document delivery systems. Includes examples illustrating proper usage and guidelines for using the format according to American National Standards for Holdings Statements. Looseleaf. (1v.) Packaged with binder and tabbed dividers. 1 pound 8.4 ounces. ISBN 0-8444-0999-5

Also available in Cataloger's Desktop.

Special Ordering Information:
MARC 21 publications in English are distributed worldwide--except in Canada--by the Cataloging Distribution Service of the Library of Congress.
The French version of MARC 21 and the English version in Canada are available from Canadian GovernmentPublishing, PWGSC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A OS9 Canada. Tel: (819) 956-4802 Fax: (819) 994-1498

Prices and Product Options:

Of special interest to new customers....
Base Text (2000 edition with Updates 1-4 interfiled)
Price:
$50 in North America (except Canada; see "Special Ordering Information" above)
$60 outside North America

Updates also available separately
Update No. 5 (2004) * 0.3 ounces
Update No. 6 (2005) * 0.14 ounces
Update No. 7 (2006) * 0.28 ounces
Update No. 8 (2007) * 1 pound 1 ounce
Update No. 9 (2008) * 0.66 ounces
Important news about Update No. 8 (2007)
Price per update: $10 (worldwide, except Canada. See "Special Ordering Information" above.)

Return to list of MARC documentation from CDS

MARC 21 Format for Classification Data

Including Guidelines for Content Designation (2000)

If you are a new customer
If you already have the base text and only need updates

Format specifications for the communication of MARC classification records, which may be used in online public catalog retrieval systems, in systems to maintain and develop classification schedules, and in online systems for library classifiers. Defines the codes and conventions (tags, indicators, subfield codes, and coded values) that identify the data elements in the records.

Developed with a focus on two major classification schemes: Library of Congress Classification and Dewey Decimal Classification, but also supports other classification schemes. Includes a glossary of classification terms and full record examples of LC Classification, Dewey Decimal Classification, National Library of Medicine Classification, and Universal Decimal Classification schemes. Looseleaf. (1v.) Packaged with binder and tabbed dividers. 2.0 pounds. ISBN 0-8444-1000-4.

Also available in Cataloger's Desktop.

Special Ordering Information:
MARC 21 publications in English are distributed worldwide--except in Canada--by the Cataloging Distribution Service of the Library of Congress.
The French version of MARC 21 and the English version in Canada are available from Canadian Government Publishing, PWGSC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A OS9 Canada. Tel: (819) 956-4802 Fax: (819) 994-1498

Prices and Product Options:

Of special interest to new customers....
Base Text (2000 edition with Updates 1-4 interfiled)
Price:
$50 in North America (except Canada; see "Special Ordering Information" above)
$60 outside North America

Updates also available separately
Update No. 5 (2004) * 0.16 ounces
Update No. 6 (2005) * 0.16 ounces
Update No. 7 (2006) * 0.16 ounces
Update No. 8 (2007) * 1 pound 1 ounce
Update No. 9 (2008) * 0.66 ounces
Important news about Update No. 8 (2007)
Price per update: $10 (worldwide, except Canada. See "Special Ordering Information" above.)

Return to list of MARC documentation from CDS

MARC 21 Format for Community Information

Including Guidelines for Content Designation (2000)

If you are a new customer
If you already have the base text and only need updates

Features specifications for inputting and communicating information about non-bibliographic resources (programs, services, organizations, individuals, one-time and ongoing events) that fulfill a community's information needs. Compatible with the MARC 21 Bibliographic Format. Defines the codes and conventions (tags, indicators, subfield codes, and coded values) that identify the data elements in the records. Includes full record examples showing how records are coded. Looseleaf. (1 v.) Packaged with binder and tabbed dividers. 2 pounds 1 ounce. ISBN 0-8444-0998-7.

Also available in Cataloger's Desktop.

Special Ordering Information:
MARC 21 publications in English are distributed worldwide--except in Canada--by the Cataloging Distribution Service of the Library of Congress.
The French version of MARC 21 and the English version in Canada are available from Canadian Government Publishing, PWGSC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A OS9 Canada. Tel: (819) 956-4802 Fax: (819) 994-1498

Prices and Product Options:

Of special nterest to new customers....
Base Text (2000 edition with Updates 1-4 interfiled)
Price:
$50 in North America (except Canada; see "Special Ordering Information" above)
$60 outside North America

Updates also available separately
Update No. 5 (2004) * 0.18 ounces
Note: There is no Update No. 6 (2005)
Update No. 7 (2006) * 0.18 ounces
Update No. 8 (2007) * 1 pound 1 ounce
Update No. 9 (2008) * 0.66 ounces
Important news about Update No. 8 (2007)
Price per update: $10 (worldwide, except Canada. See "Special Ordering Information" above.)

Return to list of MARC documentation from CDS

MARC Code Lists

• MARC Code List for Languages
• MARC Code List for Countries
• MARC Code List for Geographic Areas
• MARC Code Lists for Relators, Sources, Description Conventions
• MARC Code List for Organizations

MARC Code List for Languages (2007 )

Contains a list of languages and their associated three-character alphabetic codes that allow for the designation of the language or languages in MARC records. Replaces the 2003 edition. Includes all valid code and code assignments. (1v.) 0.68 ounces.

Also available in Cataloger's Desktop
and on the Web at http://www.loc.gov/marc/languages/

Price:
North America $20
outside North America $22

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MARC Code List for Countries (2003)

This revision of the 2000 edition contains places and their associated two-or three-character lower case alphabetic codes used in MARC records. Included are individual codes for presently existing national entities, states of the United States, provinces, and territories of Canada, divisions of the United Kingdom, and internationally recognized dependencies. References from variant forms are also included. Changes and additions since the previous edition include changes that reflect jurisdictional changes in Canada. 46 pages. 0.28 ounces. ISBN 0-8444-1083-7

Also available in Cataloger's Desktop
and on the Web at http://www.loc.gov/marc/countries/

Price:
North America $20
outside North America $22

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MARC Code List for Geographic Areas (2006)

This new edition contains a list of up-to-date geographic areas and their associated one- to seven-character codes used in MARC records. Includes separate codes for countries, first order political divisions of some countries, regions, and geographic features. An appendix lists all changes since the 2000 edition. 0.28 ounces. ISBN 0-8444-1148-5

Also available in Cataloger's Desktop
and on the Web at http://www.loc.gov/marc/geoareas/

Price:
North America $20
outside North America $22

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MARC Code Lists for Relators, Sources, Description Conventions

No longer available in print. Visit www.loc.gov/marc/relators/relahome.html for the continuously updated, searchable, online database, at no cost to you.

Also available in Cataloger's Desktop.

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MARC Code List for Organizations

(previously known as Symbols of American Libraries)

No longer available in print. Visit www.loc.gov/marc/organizations/orgshome.html for the continuously updated, searchable, online database, at no cost to you. A list of organization codes that represent names of libraries and other kinds of organizations that are identified in the bibliographic environment. The listed codes designate United States and to a smaller extent non-U.S. libraries and other institutions.

Also available in Cataloger's Desktop.

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MARC 21 Specifications for Record Structure, Character Sets, and Exchange Media (2000)

Technical information about MARC 21 record structure, character sets, and exchange media. An essential publication if you exchange MARC records on magnetic tape or cartridges, microcomputer diskettes, or via electronic file transfer (FTP) over the Internet. (1 v.) 73 pp. ISBN 0-8444-1006-3

Price:
North America $20
outside North America $22

Also available on the Web at http://www.loc.gov/marc/specificaitons/

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MARC Format: Proposed Changes

Keep abreast of MARC 21 format changes considered by the MARC Advisory Group, which includes the ALA/ALCTS/LITA/RUSA Machine-Readable Bibliographic Information Committee (MARBI) and representatives of organizations such as the U.S. and Canadian national libraries, major bibliographic utilities, the Society of American Archivists, and library associations such as the Music Library Association.

Available on the Web at: www.loc.gov/marc/marbi/list-p.html

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Library of Congress Copyright Data
as Distributed in the MARC 21 Format

Provides technical information for those involved in the design and maintenance of automated systems for the processing of Copyright records. Describes the structure and content of Copyright cataloging records in the MARC 21 format as distributed by the Cataloging Distribution Service of the Library of Congress. Defines the codes and conventions (tags, indicators, subfield codes, and coded values) that identify the data elements in MARC 21 records for the U.S. Copyright data. 23 pages. Saddle stitched. ISBN 978-0-8444-1202-3 or 0-8444-1202-3

Price:
$10 in North America and outside North America

The Complete MARC Package

The Complete MARC Package is the comprehensive documentation package for working with MARC formats. With this documentation you will be able to answer basic and detailed questions about the five MARC 21 formats: bibliographic, authority, holdings, classification, and community information. Includes: The MARC format documentation for bibliographic, authority, holdings, classification and community information data which describe in detail every MARC tag. Also included: general editing information.. guidelines for applying tags, indicators, and subfield codes...numerous examples and illustrations ... notes on the relationship of fields to other fields in the format and to related documents such as AACR2... suggested display constants that may be generated on output... indications of obsolete content designators.

Users: Catalogers and others who create and maintain bibliographic records. Library automation staff who design and maintain systems for communicating and processing bibliographic records. Reference librarians and other professionals concerned with interpreting records in the MARC format.

The Complete MARC Package includes:

• MARC 21 Concise Formats
• MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data and Updates
• MARC 21 Format for Authority Data and Updates
• MARC 21 Format for Holdings Data and Updates
• MARC 21 Format for Classification Data and Updates
• MARC 21 Format for Community Information and Updates
• MARC Code List for Languages
• MARC Code List for Countries
• MARC Code List for Geographic Areas
• MARC Code Lists for Relators, Sources, Description Conventions
• MARC Code List for Organizations
• MARC 21 Specifications for Record Structure, Character Sets, and Exchange Media

Price for complete package:

Save 10% when you purchase a complete set of MARC documentation as a package! Contact CDS Customer Services for the latest package price. (Note: discount price changes whenever a new edition is published.) Currently, the complete set weights 15 pounds 6.8 ounces.