GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF FIELD 856
Prepared by the Network Development and MARC Standards
Office, Library of Congress
March 1995
Field 856 in the USMARC bibliographic and holdings formats is used
for Electronic Location and Access and contains information needed
to locate an electronic resource. It contains enough information
to both locate the item and retrieve it or connect to a service.
In addition, it has been used for linking to an electronic finding
aid. The field may be used in a bibliographic record for an item
when that item or a subset of that item is available
electronically. In the latter case, the portion of the item for
which location and access information is given in the field is
indicated in subfield $3 (Materials specified).
Required subfields. No single subfield is required in all cases.
Which ones are used largely depends on the access method indicated
in the first indicator or in $2 (if first indicator=7).
In several of the situations below for which specific subfields are
given, subfield $u (Uniform Resource Locator) may be used instead
of a group of specific subfields.
If 1st indicator = 0 (email), the following subfields are used:
$a Host name
$f Electronic name
May also use: $b, $h, $i, $m, $n, $s, $x, $z
Unlikely to use: $c, $d, $k, $l, $o, $p, $t, $2
Those not listed can theoretically be used but no examples have
been identified.
This is equivalent to URL mailto: scheme.
If 1st indicator = 1 (ftp), the following subfields are used:
$a Host name (or can use unique elements in $d and/or $f below
and omit $a)
$d Path
$f Electronic name
May also use: $b, $c, $g, $i, $k, $l, $m, $n, $o, $p, $q, $s, $x, $3
Unlikely to use: $h, $t, $2
Those not listed can theoretically be used but no examples have
been identified.
This is equivalent to URL ftp: scheme.
If 1st indicator = 2 (Remote login), the following subfield is
used:
$a Host name
May also use: $b, $k, $l, $m, $n, $o, $p, $t, $x, $z, $3
Unlikely to use: $c, $d, $f, $g, $q, $s, $2
Those not listed can theoretically be used but no examples have
been identified.
This is equivalent to URL telnet: scheme.
If 1st indicator = 7 (Method specified in subfield $2):
$u Uniform Resource Locator
$2 Access method
Any subfields may be used depending on the access method. This
approach may be used for a variety of circumstances.
The following access methods that do not have a specific indicator
value may be indicated in subfield $2:
http Hypertext Transfer Protocol
gopher Gopher protocol
news USENET news
nntp USENET news using NNTP access
wais Wide Area Information Servers
file Host-specific file names
prospero Prospero Directory Service
For those access methods that do have an indicator value (ftp,
telnet, electronic mail), the URL can still be recorded in $u with
the correct indicator value recorded.
Uniform Resource Locator. For any of the above, a Uniform Resource
Locator (URL) can be used in subfield $u instead of parsing the
data into separate subfields. A URL may also be used in addition to
the separate subfields, if it is desirable to display data in a
particular way; it is unlikely that LC will do this. If a URL is
used instead of separate subfields, it is unlikely that other
subfields will be used except in some circumstances $n (Name of
location of host) and/or $3 (Materials specified; indicates a
subset of the bibliographic item that is available electronically).
At LC, all subfields defined as of Febrary 1994 have been validated
across formats. Field 856 has been used at LC as follows:
World Wide Web linkage: Bibliographic records are being linked
to electronic files accessible through LC's WWW server. Some of these
are items that have a table of contents outside of the bibliographic
record available electronically. Others may be computer file records
for items available electronically (through WWW). It is expected that
this use will be extended to other electronic resources that need to be
linked to MARC records. These typically include the following
subfields:
$u, $n, $3
Prints and Photographs Division/American Memory records: Records
for items that have been digitized (or otherwise made available
electronically) as part of American Memory projects may contain field
856 (data previously used in local field 938). First indicator has been
set to 7 with subfield $2 "file" as access method. These typically
include the following subfields:
$d, $f, $3; sometimes $g, $n
Subfield $a (Host name) is not used, because the system uses the unique
information in $d and $f to provide access through a locator table on a
remote host.
The following changes were approved by the USMARC Advisory Group at
its American Library Association meetings in February 1995 and June
1994. They will be incorporated into Update No. 1 to the USMARC
Format for Bibliographic Data in the near future.
1st indicator value 3 Dial-up
$j Bits per second (BPS)
$r Settings
$v Hours access method is available
$w Record control number
Attachment A is an updated version of field 856 including June 1994
and February 1995 changes.
Attachment B shows LC examples.
------------------------------------------------------------------
ATTACHMENT A
856 ELECTRONIC LOCATION AND ACCESS (R)
Indicators
First Access method
0 Email
1 FTP
2 Remote login (Telnet)
3 Dial-up
7 Method specified in subfield $2
Second Undefined
# Undefined
Subfield Codes
$a Host name (R)
$b Access number (R)
$c Compression information (R)
$d Path (R)
$f Electronic name (R)
$g Electronic name--End of range (R)
$h Processor of request (NR)
$i Instruction (R)
$j BPS (NR)
$k Password (NR)
$l Logon/login (NR)
$m Contact for access assistance (R)
$n Name of location of host in subfield a (NR)
$o Operating system (NR)
$p Port (NR)
$q File transfer mode (NR)
$r Settings (NR)
$s File size (R)
$t Terminal emulation (R)
$u Uniform Resource Locator (R)
$v Hours access method available (R)
$w Record control number (R)
$x Nonpublic note (R)
$z Public note (R)
$2 Access method (NR)
$3 Materials specified (NR)
FIELD DEFINITION AND SCOPE
This field contains the information required to locate an
electronic item. The information identifies the electronic
location containing the item or from which it is available. It
also contains information to retrieve the item by the access method
identified in the first indicator position. The information
contained in this field is sufficient to allow for the electronic
transfer of a file, subscription to an electronic journal, or logon
to a library catalog. In some cases, only unique data elements are
recorded which allow the user to access a locator table on a remote
host containing the remaining information needed to access the
item.
Field 856 is repeated when the location data elements vary
(subfields $a, $b, $d) and when more than one access method may be
used. It is also repeated whenever the electronic filename varies
(subfield $f), except for the situation when a single intellectual
item is divided into different parts for online storage or
retrieval. (This field is identical to field 856 (Electronic
location and Access) defined in the USMARC Format for Bibliographic
Data.)
GUIDELINES FOR APPLYING CONTENT DESIGNATORS
INDICATORS
First Indicator - Access method
The first indicator position contains a value that defines how the
rest of the data in the field will be used. If the resource is
available by more than one method, the field is repeated with data
appropriate to each method. The methods defined are the main
TCP/IP protocols.
The value in the first indicator position determines which
subfields are appropriate for use. For example, when first
indicator value 1 (FTP) is used, subfields $d (Path), $f
(Electronic name), $c (Compression information), and $s (File
size) are appropriate, whereas they would not be with first
indicator value 2 (Remote login (Telnet)).
0 - Email
Value 0 indicates that access to the electronic resource is
through email. This access includes subscribing to an
electronic journal or electronic forum through software
intended to be used by an email system.
1 - FTP
Value 1 indicates that the access to the electronic resource
is through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Additional
information in subfields of the record may enable the user to
transfer the resource electronically.
2 - Remote login (Telnet)
Value 2 indicates that access to the electronic resource is
through remote login (Telnet). Additional information in
subfields of the record may enable the user to connect to the
resource electronically.
3 - Dial-up
Value 3 indicates that access to the electronic resource is
through dial-up by use of a telephone line. Additional
information in subfields of the record may enable the user to
connect to the resource.
7 - Method specified in subfield $2
Value 7 indicates that access to the electronic resource is
through a method other than the defined values and for which
an identifying code is given in subfield $2 (Source of
access).
Second Indicator - Undefined
The second indicator position is undefined and contains a blank
(#).
SUBFIELD CODES
$a - Host name
Subfield $a contains the fully qualified domain (host name)
of the electronic location. It contains a network address
which is repeated if there is more than one address for the
same host.
856 1#$aharvada.harvard.edu$aharvarda.bitnet
$b - Access number
Subfield $b contains the access number associated with a
host. It can contain the Internet protocol (IP) numeric
address if an Internet resource, or a telephone number if
access is through a telephone line. This data may change
frequently and may be generated by the system, rather than
statically stored. The subfield may be repeated if all the
other information in the field applies. A phone number is
recorded as follows: [country code]-[area code]-[phone
number]. If an extension is applicable, include after phone
number preceded by "x". Example: 61-49-215833 (in New South
Wales, Australia); 1-202-7076237 (in U.S., Washington, D.C.);
1-703-3589800x515 (phone number with extension).
856 2#$aanthrax.micro.umn.edu$b128.101.95.23
856 3#$b1-202-7072316$j2400/9600$nLibrary of Congress,
Washington, DC$oUNIX$rE-7-1$tvt100 $zRequires logon and
password
$c - Compression information
Subfield $c contains information about the compression of a
file. If a specific program is required to decompress the
file, it is noted here. The filename in subfield $f may
indicate the type of compression by its extension (portion
after "." or first space). The subfield may be repeated if
two compression programs are used, noting the latest
compression first.
856 1#$amaine.maine.edu$cMust be decompressed with
PKUNZIP$fresource.zip
$d - Path
Subfield $d contains the path with directory names where the
file is stored. The filename itself is recorded in subfield
$f. This may be a surrogate path leading the user to the host
where complete and current access information is stored in a
locator table.
856 1#$awuarchive.wustl.edu$d/aii/admin/CAT.games$fmac-qub
ic.22.hqx
$f - Electronic name
Subfield $f contains the electronic name as it exists in the
directory indicated in subfield $d, on the host machine in
subfield $a. It may be repeated if a single logical file has
been divided into parts and stored under different names, but
that together constitute a single intellectual item. In all
other cases, a file that may be retrieved under different
filenames contains two 856 fields in the record, each with a
different subfield $f. A filename may include wildcard
characters (*) if applicable (with a subfield $z note
explaining how fields are named). A filename may be case
sensitive for some systems.
856 1#$awuarchive.wustl.edu$dmirrors/info-mac/util$fcolor-
system-icons.hqx
856 0#$akentvm.bitnet$facadlist file1$facadlist
file2$facadlist file3
This subfield also contains the name of the electronic
publication or conference.
856 0#$auicvm.bitnet$fAN2
$g - Electronic name--End of range
Subfield $g contains the name of the last physical file in a
sequence when the resource is contained in more than one
physical file. This subfield is generally used when the
repetition of subfield $f is not possible.
856 1#$asunx.loc.gov$dLCPP04A$f4A49751$g4A49755
$h - Processor of request
Subfield $h contains the username, or processor of the
request; generally the data which precedes the @ in the
electronic mail address.
856 0#$auicvm.bitnet$fAN2$hListserv
$i - Instruction
Subfield $i contains an instruction or command needed for the
remote host to process a request.
856 0#$auccvma.bitnet$fIR-L$hListserv$isubscribe
$j - Bits per second
Subfield $j contains the lowest and highest bits per second
used for transmission of data. Syntax of data should be:
-. If only lowest given: -; If only highest given: -.
856 0#$b1-202-7072316$j2400-9600$nLibrary of Congress,
Washington, DC$oUNIX$rE-7-1
$k - Password
Subfield $k contains the password required to access the
resource. An FTP site may require the user to enter an
Internet address or may require a specific password, or a
library catalog may require a password. If a password is
required but anything may be used, this subfield need not be
used. This subfield is used for general use passwords, not
for any requiring security. Textual instructions about
passwords are contained in subfield $z (Public note).
856 1#$aharvarda.harvard.edu$kguest
$l - Logon/login
Subfield $l contains characters needed to logon to a library
catalog or FTP site. Often with anonymous file transfer the
logon is "anonymous." An account number required for login
may also be indicated. This subfield should be used for
general use logins, not for any requiring security.
856 1#$aunmvm.bitnet$lanonymous
$m - Contact for access assistance
Subfield $m contains the contact for access assistance to the
resource at the host specified in subfield $a.
856 2#$agopac.berkeley.edu$mRoy Tennant
$n - Name of location of host in subfield $a
Subfield $n contains the full name of the location of the
host in subfield $a, including its geographical location.
856 2#$apucc.princeton.edu$nPrinceton University, Princeton,
N.J.
$o - Operating system
For informational purposes, operating system for the host
name specified in subfield $a is indicated here. Conventions
for path and filenames may be dependent on the operating
system. For the operating system of the resource itself
(i.e., the title recorded in field 245), rather than the
operating system of the host making it available, field 753
(Technical Details Access to Computer Files), subfield $c
(Operating system) in the USMARC Format for Bibliographic
Data is used in the related bibliographic record.
856 1#$aseq1.loc.gov$d/pub/soviet.archive$fk1famine.bkg$nL
ibrary of Congress, Washington, D.C.$oUNIX
$p - Port
Subfield $p contains the portion of the address that
identifies a process or service in the host.
856 2#$amadlab.sprl.umich.edu$nUniversity of Michigan
Weather Underground$p3000
$q - File transfer mode
Subfield $q contains the file transfer mode, which determines
how the file is transferred through the network. A normal
ASCII file contains certain characters which are translated
between systems to make the text files more readable. A file
with non-ASCII characters must be transferred using another
file transfer mode.
856 1#$aarchive.cis.ohio-state.edu$dpub/comp.sourc
es.Unix/volume 10$fcomobj.lisp.10.Z$qbinary
$r - Settings
Subfield $r contains the settings used for transfer of data.
Included are: Number Data Bits (number of bits per
character); Number Stop Bits (number of bits to signal the
end of a byte); and Parity (parity checking technique used).
Syntax of data is: --. If only Parity given: . If only one of
the other two given, leave data blank but include hyphens,
e.g., ---Number DataBits>-
856 3#$b1-202-7072316$j2400-9600$nLibrary of Congress,
Washington, DC$oUNIX$rE-7-1$tvt100 $zRequires logon and
password
Values for parity are: O (Odd), E (Even), N (None), S (Space,
M (Mark)
$s - File size
Subfield $s contains the size of the file as stored under the
filename indicated in subfield $f. It is generally expressed
in terms of bytes. It may be repeated in cases where the
filename is repeated and is recorded directly following the
subfield $f to which it applies. This information would not
be given for an electronic journal, since the field relates
to the entire title, not to particular issues.
856 1#$awuarchive.wustl.edu$dmirrors/info-mac/util$fcolor-
system-icons.hqx$s16874 bytes
856 0#$akeptvm.bitnet$facadlist file1$s34,989
bytes$facadlist file2$s32,876 bytes$facadlist file3
$s23987 bytes
$t - Terminal emulation
Subfield $t contains the terminal emulation supported when
necessary to specify for remote login (first indicator
contains value 2 (Remote login (Telnet)).
856 2#$amaine.maine.edu$nUniversity of Maine$t3270
$u - Uniform Resource Locator
Subfield $u contains the Uniform Resource Locator (URL),
which provides standard syntax for locating an object using
existing Internet protocols. Field 856 is structured to
create a URL from separate subfields. Subfield $u may be
used instead of those separate subfields or in addition to
them. It might be desirable to include subfield $u and the
other subfields if a user display is desired as well as a
URL. The field is repeated if more than one URL needs to be
recorded.
856 1#$uftp://path.net/pub/docs/urn2urc.ps
856 7#$3b&w film copy neg.$dLCPP003B $f3B44639 $2file
856 7$uhttp://lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/semdigdocs/seminar.html
$2http
$v - Hours access method available
Subfield $v contains the hours that access to the resource at
the electronic location indicated in this field is available.
If the record is for a system or service the hours it is
available are recorded in field 307 (Hours, etc.). This
subfield is only for the hours at the specific location
indicated in field 856.
856 2#$apac.carl.org$b192.54.81.128$mCARL Situation
Room$mhelp@CARL.org$nCARL Systems Inc., Denver, CO$v24
hours
856 3#$alocis.loc.gov$b140.147.254.3
$mlconline@loc.gov$t3270$tline mode (e.g., vt100)$vM-F
6:00 a.m.-21:30 p.m. USA EST, Sat. 8:30-17:00 USA EST,
Sun. 13:00-17:00 USA EST
$w - Record control number
Subfield $w contains the system control number of the related
record preceded by the USMARC code, enclosed in parentheses,
for the agency to which the control number applies. The data
in the subfield links field 856 to the USMARC record having
the same data in a control number field. (The source of the
code is Symbols of American Libraries that is maintained by
the Library of Congress.)
$x - Nonpublic note
Subfield $x contains a note relating to the electronic
location of the source identified in the field. The note is
written in a form that is not adequate for public display or
contains processing information about the file at the
location specified.
856 1#$awuarchive.wustl.edu$cdecompress with PKUNZIP.exe
$d/mirrors2/win3/games$fatmoids.zip$xcannot verify
because of transfer difficulty
$z - Public note
Subfield $z contains a note relating to the electronic
location of the source identified in the field. The note is
written in a form that is adequate for public display.
$2 - Access method
Subfield $2 contains the access method when the first
indicator position contains value 7 (Method specified in
subfield $2). This subfield may include access methods other
than the three main TCP/IP protocols specified in the first
indicator. The data in this subfield corresponds with the
access schemes specified RFC 1738 (Uniform Resource Locators
(URL)), a product of the Uniform Resource Identifiers Working
Group of the IETF. The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
(IANA) maintains a registry of URL schemes and defines the
syntax and use of new schemes; the Library of Congress will
include an authoritative list based on that standard in the
_USMARC Code List for Relators, Sources, Description
Conventions_.
$3 - Materials specified
Subfield $3 contains information that specifies the part of
the bibliographic item to which the field applies.
856 0#$3Finding aid to the Edgar F. Kaiser
papers$agopher.berkeley.edu$b128.224.55$kguest
$lanonymous$mReference Services, The Bancroft Library,
University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, tel.
510-642-6481 $nThe Library, University of California,
Berkeley$oUNIX$p70 $qbinary$s2,394,394,444$xThe finding
aid to the Kaiser papers is currently under
revision.$zFor further information about shipbuilding
files, contact The Bancroft Library Reference
INPUT CONVENTIONS
Embedded Holdings Information
When holdings information is embedded in a USMARC bibliographic
record, no additional 856 field is input. Multiple 856 fields may
be used only when the information does not include other
holdings information fields that must be linked to a specific 856
field for intelligibility. However, subfield $3 may be used to
specify a subset of the item to which the 856 information is
applicable.
RELATED USMARC FIELD OR DOCUMENT
Symbols of American Libraries
USMARC Format for Bibliographic Data: 753 Technical Details
Access to Computer Files
USMARC Format for Bibliographic Data: 856 Electronic Location and
Access
Uniform Resource Locators (URL)
------------------------------------------------------------------
ATTACHMENT B: Examples
* System supplied element
# Blank
$ Subfield code delimiter
Record #1: 856 link to a subset of the bibliographic item; HTTP
URL
Leader *****nam##*******#a
001 $a93-3471$cr95
005 $a19950215082838.3
008 950215s1994####enk######b#####||||#eng#
040 $aDLC $cDLC $dDLC
050 00 $aHA29$b.A5828 1993
082 00 $a300/.1/5195 $220
245 00 $aAnalyzing qualitative data /$cedited by Alan Bryman and
Robert G. Burgess.
260 $aLondon ;$aNew York :$bRoutledge,$c1994.
300 $axii, 232 p. :$bill. ;$c24 cm.
504 $aIncludes bibliographical references and index.
020 $a0415060621
020 $a041506063X (pbk.)
650 #0 $aSocial sciences $xStatistical methods.
650 #0 $aSocial sciences $xResearch $xMethodology.
700 10 $aBryman, Alan.
700 10 $aBurgess, Robert G.
856 7 $3Table of contents$uhttp://lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/toc/93-3471.html
$2http
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Record #2: 856 link to item itself; HTTP URL
Leader *****nmm##*******#a
001 $a94-790547
005 $a19950106130304.3
008 950106s1994####dcun#######m########eng##
040 $aDLC $cDLC $dDLC
050 00 $aZ695.615
082 10 $a025.3 $212
111 2 $aSeminar on Cataloging Digital Documents $d(1994 :
$cUniversity of Virginia Library and Library of Congress)
245 10 $aProceedings of the Seminar on Cataloging Digital
Documents, October 12-14, 1994 $h{computer file} /$cUniversity of
Virginia Library, Charlottesville, and the Library of Congress.
256 $aComputer data and program.
260 $a{Washington, D.C. :$bLibrary of Congress,$c1994}.
538 $aAccess: Internet. Address:
http://lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/semdigdocs/seminar.html.
500 $aTitle from title screen.
500 $a"Sponsor: Sarah Thomas, director for cataloging,
Library of Congress"--Home page.
520 # $aText, graphics, and audio files, including a summary
of the seminar by Sarah Thomas, color photographs of the presenters
and various events, texts of the presentations, notes taken by
Library of Congress staff, records of the panel discussion, an
action plan, and a list of participants.
650 #0 $aCataloging of computer files $xCongresses $xDatabases.
700 1# $aThomas, Sarah.
710 2# $aUniversity of Virginia. $bLibrary.
710 2# $aLibrary of Congress.
856 7 $uhttp://lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/semdigdocs/seminar.html$2http
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Record #3: 856 with "file" in subfield $2 (P&P/American Memory
project record)
Leader *****nkd##*******5a
001 $aswa94000001/PP
005 $a19950123080234.0
007 kd||||
008 930000s1939####|||nnn############kn###
037 $aLC-USZ62-98561$bDLC$c(b&w film copy neg.)
050 00 $aSWANN -$bno. 1432$u(C size)
040 $aDLC$cDLC$egihc
100 1# $aAfonsky, Nicholas,$d1891 or 2-1943,$eartist.
245 10 $aLittle Annie Rooney.$p"It's like I tell ya, chief
..."$h[graphic].
260 $c1939 Nov. 26 [publication date]
300 $a1 drawing :$bIndia ink over pencil on bristol board ;$c36.2
x 57.0 cm. (sheet)
500 $aEditorial marks in upper margin.
500 $aSigned, lower right, ninth frame: N. Afonsky.
540 $aCopyright 1939 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
520 $aNine frame comic strip. In the first three frames of the
cartoon, two outlaws, shown in a mountainous terrain, discuss the
disappearance of smuggled diamonds. The next four frames feature
two old sisters in a country kitchen discussing the outlaw-husband.
The strip concludes with two frames of Little Annie in the desert
with her burro and her dog Zero.
541 $cBequest and gift;$aCaroline and Erwin
Swann;$d1974$e(DLC/PP-1974:232.1262)
585 $aExhibited: University of Maryland, "The Art of the Comic
Strip," 1971; Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service,
"The Art of the Comic Strip," 1972-74.
650 #7 $aSmuggling$y1930-1940.$2lctgm
655 #7 $aPeriodical illustrations$xAmerican$y1930-1940.$2gmgpc
655 #7 $aAdventure comics$xAmerican$y1930-1940.$2gmgpc
755 $aDrawings$xAmerican$y1930-1940.$2gmgpc
773 0 $tCaroline and Erwin Swann Collection of Caricature & Cartoon
(Library of Congress)$w(DLC) 93845503
852 $aDLC$bP&P
856 7 $3b&w film copy neg.$dLCPP003B $f3B44639 $2file
rev. 3/6/95 RSG.
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