MIT Libraries: Collection Services

MARC Tagging for Contributed Copy of Sound Recordings


This field-by-fielding listing of tags describes a current approach. It is based on three sources:

  1. the primary documentation for cataloging: AACR2r, OCLC Bibliographic Formats, etc.
  2. bibliographical records created by previous MIT catalogers, and an existing table of guidelines created several years ago.
  3. a NELINET course on MARC tagging for sound recordings.

Philosophies vary regarding what amount of verification a copy-cataloger should perform before importing a record from OCLC into the local catalog. We have, in the past, lacked complete field-by-field guidelines on what information is essential to our local catalog (and what must be added, if missing), what is acceptable or good to have but not essential, and what is not acceptable.

The current approach reflects a shifting of attention away from the more obscure and redundant MARC codes, and toward increasing access points by augmenting contents notes and analyzing multivolume records at the greatest level of detail possible. This shift in priorities was informed by discussions with the Music Library head and public services staff.

The following guidelines are concerned with music-specific MARC tags. For more general information on MIT practice, see Monograph Editing Guidelines.


Fixed fields 

Accomp:

 

If blank, fill in with approriate letters only if accompanying materials are substantial; otherwise, do not.

 

Lang and 041:

 

Verify for accuracy. OCLC requires this field, it is an important one.

 

 

Comp and 047:

 

Type of composition(s). LC does not fill in this field (source: NELINET course, 1996).

 

Date tp, Dates:

 

Verify.

Variable fields

007

 

subfield e = verify (mono, stereo, unknown)
subfield m = verify (digital)
subfield n = verify (capture = ADD, DDD, etc.)

Some contributing libraries tend to get subfields m and n mixed up, but the correct codes are easy to fill in.

 

024

 

UPC symbol. Do not add, do not verify.

 

028

 

Music publisher number. VERIFY. ADD IF MISSING. This is a key access point. AACR2 requires the publisher number as a note. In our catalog locally, all 028 fields are indexed and generate notes, regardless of indicators. Nevertheless, when adding an 028, follow the pattern described in OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards on the use of the 2nd indicator: in general, use "028 02" unless there is an accompanying 500 note (found more commonly in scores), in which case the 2nd indicator is 0. Do not edit indicators on existing 028s.

 

033

 

Date and time of an event (chiefly of a concert performance). Do not add, do not verify. Filling in this field is time-consuming, requires consultation of OCLC documentation, LC class schedule G, and a general knowledge of the time zones of various cities of the world. The same information is as easily searched for--in fact, MORE easily searched for, in a 518 note, which should be verified or added if missing for important historical occasions.

 

043

 

Geographic area code. A familiar field in books format, but considered optional for sound recordings. Add for world music. Do not verify, do not add, for other sound recordings.

 

045

 

Time period of content. Do not add; do not verify. LC discontinued the use of this field in 1991.

 

048

 

Orchestration. LC discontinued the use of this field in 1991. Do not add, do not verify.

 

1xx |4

Relator code. Do not add for composers. If present, verify. Add if performer is main entry.

306

 

Duration. LC does not fill in this field. Do not add, do not verify.

 

505 Durations in contents note is a problem area. The rules pretty much call for them, but a large number of records don't provide them. When creating missing contents notes, use judgement.

7xx |4

Relator code. Add if missing, verify for accuracy, but do not edit for specificity (e.g. |4 prf is acceptable even if |4 itr would have been appropriate.


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Submitted by Ray Schmidt and last updated by Gordon Thomas on 061212.