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DLC/OONL copy editing procedures


In the interest of uniformity of practice within the Division and to prevent further confusion on what is generally expected in the editing of copy from our two chief national sources, here are the guidelines to follow in MARC field order. Consult with AACR2 and the Divisional Procedures manual for more detailed instructions.

Fixed fields

While it is not always easy to spot errors in the fixed fields, either in Unicorn or on Laserquest, some of these fields are critical to machine searching of bibliographic records, particularly the date fields (DATE1 and DATE2), country (CTRY), and language (LANG). The values in these fields are often directly related to information appearing in the 260, 050/055, and 041, so remember that a change to the variable fields must be reflected in the corresponding fixed fields as well.

Cataloguing source (SOURCE or 008 byte 40) Generally, leave the value from the incoming record alone. However, if you use any other library's copy as the basis for the cataloguing of another edition of the same work (for example, you have the British ed. of something for which LC catalogued the U.S. edition), then you no longer have the original copy and should change the byte to "d" and the 040 to |aNfSM|cNfSM.

Encoding level (ENC_LVL or Leader byte 17) On full DLC this will be set to blank. On full OCLC copy this will display as "i" or "I". If the copy has either a "5" or "7", the copy is Minimal Level and you should seek further information, either from Laserquest or one of the utilities (ISM/OCLC). If the changes found are minor, add them to the printout by hand, but if they are major please feel free to redirect the copy to someone who can overlay the bad copy with better copy from Laserquest, CATSS or OCLC. This can either be done within the Division or by returning the book to Acquisitions, although eventually it will all be done here. This can also be done for CIP records (ENC_LVL= 8) and for LQ records where the Encoding level does not appear but the status can be ascertained by clues like "MLCS" (050) and/or "Priority 3" (500).

Bibliographic level (BIB_LVL or Leader byte 7) and Type of record (REC_TYP or Leader byte 6) These two fixed fields are critical in displaying the correct format as well as in determining valid fields and subfields for that format. Generally these will be set at "m" and "a" and you will see "MARC" appear under FORMAT in Unicorn. If, on the other hand you see "SERIAL" and BIB_LVL= s, you have serial copy and better consult.

The other fixed fields By and large these are not critical enough to worry about. LC and NLC code several fixed fields which we traditionally have ignored (ILLUS, AUDIENC, CONFPUB, FESTSCH, INDX, BIOG). We have sometimes coded the nature of contents (CONT), but not with great consistency. There is no reason why we need to be concerned about the correctness of these now. We have tried, on the other hand, to be accurate in REPR (form of reproduction) and GOVTPU (government publication), so check for these if you are cataloguing this type of material.

Library of Congress control/card number (010)

If your book matches the copy in edition, publisher and date, retain the 010 as is. If it disagrees with the LCCN on the book, defer to the LCCN on the copy, since it has come more directly from LC than the CIP on the book. The book LCCN can be placed in |z right after the correct LCCN and in the same 010 (this is not a repeatable field). If your book does not match the copy in edition, publisher and date, then feel free to check the book against LQ to see if better copy exists. If better copy cannot be found use the copy in hand as the basis for a new record, deleting the 010 and changing the 040 to |aNfSM|cNfSM.

ISBN (020)

With some general exceptions, the ISBN on the book should be preferred to that on the copy. Exceptions to this include those with an invalid check-digit or with more or less than 10 digits (these may be in 020|z on the copy) and ISSNs masquerading as ISBNs. Each ISBN should go into a separate field, although on older copy you may see multiple ISBNs in one 020. Don't bother separating these out. Multiple ISBNs are not only possible they are useful in preventing duplication of orders or the attachment of adds to the wrong copy. In most cases where there are several valid 020s, there will be a parenthetical qualifier present. Examples of these include for binding (bd., CSD, casebound, pbk., limp, loose-leaf, library, etc.), paper composition (acid free, alkaline), and version:

Where more than one publisher is involved in putting out a particular volume, or where a single publisher has separate ISBN codes for their foreign offices, it is quite possible to have more than one 020. These are usually qualified by country, sometimes by city, and sometimes by publisher. Qualifiers are placed in parentheses. Where these qualifiers exist already in the copy, do not change them, but if they are not present they should be added.

Quite often you will see that a publisher has assigned ISBNs both to a set and to the individual volumes comprising the set. These should all be reflected in multiple 020s.

021: This field is no longer searchable, addable, or editable in the Library's catalogues. Ignore. If you have a different edition than the one reflected in your copy's 020, then you will likely need to code 040 as NfSM|cNfSM and delete the 020/021.

Cataloguing source (035)

This field is a catch-all, leftover from SPIRES. It includes our barcode numbers and cataloguer's initials, LQ control numbers, funny Utlas codes, and utility control numbers. With copy derived from OCLC, the SPIRES loader was set to automatically write the OCLC number into the 035 with prefix (OCoLC). Leave these in the record.

If you see an old ISM record with OCLC number in 036, move these to 035.

CIP data (039 and 263)

Delete these CIP fields from your copy.

Cataloguing source (040)

The 040 should reflect the cataloguing and transcribing agencies for the particular edition described. If there is no 040, it probably means that it is a cataloguing record of unspecified origin from Laserquest or ISM. Most agencies code 040. If the 040 has "DLC|beng" or "OONL|beng" then the copy came off of LQ and the 040 was added by Acquisitions staff based on the triangle or snowflake symbols appearing on the LQ "hit list". The presence of "DLC|cDLC" usually means that the record was derived off of ISM, OCLC, or Bibliofile. In cases where we take close copy for a book, i.e. a different edition or imprint, etc., the 040 should reflect MUN as the cataloguing and transcribing agency, as we are responsible for the new description. MUN's holding symbol is NfSM (CaNfSM in the U.S. NUC), hence the 040 should read

040|d In cooperative cataloguing arrangements you will often see library symbols coded in 040|d. This indicates the source of subsequent editing of a record within the network. It is possible, for example, for OCLC contributing libraries to edit DLC minimal level or CIP records, adding call number and subject headings and leaving their symbol in |d. Headings from these records should be checked, unless of course the |d contains another "DLC". Similarly, the addition of "DLC" or "CaOONL" to 040|d on UKM copy does not make it DLC or OONL copy. These should also be checked.

Language, geographic, and date codes (041, 043, 045)

LC's approach to these has been somewhat cavalier over the years. They often forget the |h in 041 and sometimes neglect the three fields altogether. Recently LC's Music Cataloguing Section announced that they will no longer code 045, 047, and 048 for music, but nothing has been said about discontinuing 045 for books. We will continue to code 041 for language of translation or multilingual publications and 043 for geographic codes. And yes, 043 has 7 places, filling out the field with dashes when necessary. When more than one geographic area is covered by the text, add multiple |a. Do not create multiple 043s as this is defined as a non-repeatable field.

Call number (05x)

Leave the 05x intact on DLC/OONL copy even in cases where it is incorrect, either due to a change in publication date or book number (cutter). LC wavers on its policy of changing the 050 when they upgrade CIP, so it is best to just leave whatever is there and assign our local call number using the correct date and book number. If you are using "close" copy the 05x field should be changed to 055 3 and made to match the our call number, at least for date if not necessarily for Cutter (for example, I would leave LC literary author Cutters alone in the 055 rather than using our Cutter-Sanborn number.

Other call numbers on copy (06x-08x)

Generally ignore NLM, Dewey, NAL, and other class numbers appearing in 060, 070, and 082. Do not delete them as they may prove useful to others, like HSL or out-of-town libraries, who derive copy from us.

On order information (098)

These are normally of interest only for historical purposes, as Unicorn's Acquisitions module has assumed the role previously assumed by the 098. Acquisitions has continued to use it for some purposes though, as it is searchable using a keyword search with bracketed {098}. Cataloguing has no need of effecting change to this field in the Unicorn era.

Main entry (1xx)

While the second indicator position has been declared obsolete within MARC, we won't bother to delete it from older copy that leaves it in. Do delete |w values from OCLC-derived copy.

Title (245)

Check this field carefully, particularly on CIP, for typos, dropped letters, changes in title or subtitle and additions to the statement of responsibility (|c). Check the indicators to ensure that title added entry is made where there is a 1xx, and that the correct number of non-filing characters are skipped.

Edition (250)

Look for edition statements on the title page, verso, and even sometimes in preface material. It is not uncommon to find these left off of DLC copy, again especially CIP. Treat information like "1st paperback edition" or "1st Ballantine ed." as edition statements.

Imprint (260)

Here is another case where the use of the indicator positions has been made obsolete by the MARC pundits. Leave either "0" or blank where they occur in the first position. For newly created 260s, use blank-blank.

With regards to multiple places of publication on the t.p. or verso, we will follow AACR2 and add the Canadian place of publication if it appears on the piece. Thus, where copy for a Penguin Book has:

     260    |aLondon ;|aNew York :|bPenguin Books,|c1991.

we will cross out New York and add "Markham, Ont." from the verso. In the following example "Associated University Presses" has offices both in the U.S. and Canada:

     260 0  |aPhiladelphia :|bBalch Institute Press ;
            |aLondon ;|aCranbury, NJ :|bAssociated
            University Presses,|cc1989.
This should be edited to display as:

     260 0  |aPhiladelphia :|bBalch Institute Press
            ;|aLondon ;|aToronto :|bAssociated University
            Presses,|cc1989.
Please note that if DLC copy has a Canadian, British, German, etc. place listed first followed by a U.S. place, leave it be. We will follow this rule for any copy that gives a foreign plus U.S. place of publication, but no Canadian place.

     260    |aToronto ;|aBuffalo :|bUniversity of Toronto
            Press,|c1990.

     260 0  |aLondon ;|aNew York :|bGower,|c1989.
Where a North American place of publication is given first on the chief source of information, and hence in |a, there is no need of adding a second |a with the foreign place. Ignore the 2nd, 3rd, etc. places of publication as well.

     260    |aNew York :|bOxford University Press,|c1991.
               NOT
     260    |aNew York ;|aLondon :|bOxford University Press,
            |c1991.
It should also be noted that recent changes to USMARC include a discontinuation of the use of the first indicator position in 260. As a result you may begin seeing copy with blanks in both indicator positions. Treat copy with indicator one values of or 0 as correct, but when adding 260 follow the new practice.

Physical extent (300)

Paging Preliminary paging should be given only where it makes up a significant proportion of the book. For example, if pages iii-xlvi make up the introduction to a 150 page book, it should be considered significant. On the other hand, where pages i-xii constitute the title page, table of contents, and acknowledgements, this is not terribly useful to note. Use your discretion here.

Beginning with CSB no. 51 LC initiated a policy of ignoring unnumbered leaves or pages of plates unless they "represent an important feature of the book." I would take "important" to mean that the unnumbered paging constitutes a high percentage of the total paging of the book, for example an art book where most of the monograph consists of art reproductions on unnumbered plates. Again this is open to interpretation.

We will also follow the LC practice of recording the extent of unpaged books ("except for rare books") as

     1 v. (unpaged)
Illustrations The Library of Congress has for some time simply been using "ill." to cover all manner of illustrations including "ports.", "facsims.", "coats of arms", etc. Everything, that is, except "maps". When upgrading CIP or other copy, we will follow this practice as well. Where the copy uses one of the other illustration types we will again follow LC and "the fuller data should be left 'as is'".

Dimensions Subfield c should be coded only in cases where the item is oversize (greater than 32 cm.) or undersize (below 12 cm.), or where the cataloguing represents audio-visual or computer file materials. Otherwise we will not add it to copy where it does not already exist. If it does already exist, leave it be unless it is obviously incorrect.

Accompanying materials

Subfield e (after a + sign) should be used for multi-media items to describe the secondary format, for example an audio-cassette or diskette accompanying a book. Use 300|e rather than a general note (500).

     300   |axix, 316 p. :|bill. ;|c25 cm. +|e1 sound cassette
            (60 min.)
Where the accompanying media are to be housed in LARC remember to also add a 590 noting this.

It may be used for accompanying maps, but generally these are given in the format

     |bmaps (2 folded in pocket)
|e is also used for describing accompanying material in the same format, such as teacher's manuals or executive summaries.

     300    |a349 p. :|bill. ;|c29 cm. +|eteacher's manual
            (89 p.)
While the plus sign is used for parts which accompany scores, this is always given in |a as follows:

     300    |a1 score (32 p.) + 3 parts ;|c34 cm.

Series (4xx)

There is no need to delete |x (ISSN) from these.

Bibliography note (504)

Current Library of Congress practice is to use the note "Includes bibliographical references" to cover bibliographic information which used to generate the following notes:

     Includes bibliographical references.
     Includes bibliographies.
     Bibliography: p. xxx-xxx.
More recently they seem to have back-peddled and pagings are now included as part of the note:

     Includes bibliographical references (p. [345]-363).
In some cases the presence of an index is also noted as part of the 504.

     Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-88) and index.
There is no reason why these need to be reformatted into old-style "Bibliography" and "Includes index" notes, as the information about extent is already there. Irregardless of whether the bibliographical information comes under the heading "notes", "footnotes", or "bibliographies", simply leave the LC general note as is. If your copy uses the old format, leave it be. If, on the other hand, the copy does not reflect the considerable extent of a bibliography, add the paging to the "Includes bibliographical references" note.

For works which include discographies, make a specific note.


Initial release date: 28 January 1993.
Last revised: 30 May 1996.

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