MARC 21 Concise Bibliographic: Control Field 008
This is an ARCHIVED VERSION of the 2002 electronic
edition of the MARC 21 Concise Formats. Please see
www.loc.gov/marc/concise/ for the most up-to-date version of the electronic MARC 21 Concise Formats.
Information for Translators and Other Users
Items highlighted in red indicate changes made
after the 2001 edition of the MARC 21 Concise Formats was published and
are included in the 2002 printed edition of the MARC 21 Concise Formats.
This field contains 40 character positions (00-39) that provide coded information
about the record as a whole and about special bibliographic aspects of the item
being cataloged. These coded data elements are potentially useful for retrieval
and data management purposes.
The data elements are positionally-defined. Character positions that are not
defined contain a blank (#). All defined character positions must contain a
defined code; for some field 008 positions, this may be the fill character (|).
The fill character may be used (in certain character positions) when a cataloging
organization makes no attempt to code the character position. The fill character
is not allowed in field 008 positions 00-05 (Date entered on file). Its use
is discouraged in positions 07-10 (Date 1), 15-17 (Place of publication, production,
or execution), and the 008 position defined for Form of item (either position
23 or 29 depending upon the 008 configuration).
Character positions 00-17 and 35-39 are defined the same across all types of
material, with special consideration for position 06. The definition of character
positions 18-34 was done independently for each type of material, although certain
data elements are defined the same in the specifications for more than one type
of material. When similar data elements are defined for inclusion in field 008
for different types of material, they occupy the same field 008 character positions.
In the following documentation, character positions are described in the order
of their listing at the beginning of this section. Field 008 positions 00-17
and 35-39 (All materials) for all types of material are described
first, followed by seven groups of sections for positions 18-34 (Books,
Computer files, Maps, Music, Continuing resources,
Visual materials and Mixed materials).
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Character Positions
- 00-05 - Date entered on file
The computer-generated, six-character numeric string that indicates the date
the MARC record was created. The date is recorded in the pattern yymmdd.
- 06 - Type of date/Publication status
A one-character code that indicates that categorizes the type of dates given
in 008/07-10 (Date 1) and 008/11-14 (Date 2). For continuing
resources, the code in 008/06 also indicates the publication status.
The choice of code for 008/06 is made concurrently with a determination of
the appropriate dates for 008/07-14. For most records data is derived from
information in field 260 (Publication, Distribution, etc. (Imprint)), field
362 (Dates of Publication and/or Sequential Designation), or from note fields.
- b - No dates given; B.C. date involved
Each character position in fields 008/07-10 and 008/11-14 contains a blank
(#).
- c - Continuing resource currently published
008/07-10 contain the beginning date of publication; 008/11-14 contain
9999.
- d - Continuing resource ceased publication
008/07-10 contain the beginning date of publication; 008/11-14 contain
the ending date of publication.
- e - Detailed date
008/07-10 contain the year and 008/11-14 contain the month and day, recorded
in the pattern mmdd.
- i - Inclusive dates of collection
- k - Range of years of bulk of collection
- m - Multiple dates
008/07-10 usually contain the beginning date and 008/11-14 the ending
date.
- n - Dates unknown
Indicates that the dates appropriate for 008/07-10 and 008/11-14 are unknown
(e.g., when no dates are given in field 260).
- p - Date of distribution/release/issue and production/recording session
when different
- q - Questionable date
008/07-10 contain the earliest possible date; 008/11-14 contain the latest
possible date.
- r - Reprint/reissue date and original date
008/07-10 contain the date of reproduction or reissue; 008/11-14 contain
the date of the original, if known; 008/11-14 contain code u ("uuuu"),
if unknown.
- s - Single known date/probable date
008/07-10 contain the date; 008/11-14 contain blanks (####).
- t - Publication date and copyright date
- u - Continuing resource status unknown
008/07-10 contain the beginning date of publication; 008/11-14 contain
code u ("uuuu").
- 07-10 - Date 1
The determination of dates for 008/07-10 is made concurrently with the choice
of code for 008/06 (Type of date/publication status). The use of fill characters
in 008/07-10, although possible, is discouraged since the data in Date 1 is
used for retrieval and duplicate detection in many systems. When fill is used
in 008/07-10, all four positions must contain the fill character.
- # - Date element is not applicable
- u - Date element is totally or partially unknown
- 11-14 - Date 2
The determination of dates for 008/11-14 is made concurrently with the choice
of code for 008/06 (Type of date/publication status). When fill is used in
008/11-14, all four positions must contain the fill character.
- # - Date element is not applicable
- u - Date element is totally or partially unknown
- 15-17 - Place of publication, production, or execution
A two- or three-character MARC code that indicates the place of publication,
production, or execution. The place code is an authoritative-agency data element.
The source of the code is MARC Code List
for Countries. Choice of a MARC code is generally related to information
in field 260 (Publication, Distribution, etc. (Imprint)). The code recorded
in 008/15-17 is used in conjunction with field 044 (Country of Producer Code)
when more than one code is appropriate to an item. The first code in subfield
$a of field 044 is recorded in 008/15-17. Three fill characters (|||) may
be used in place of a valid code, but their use in 008/15-17 is discouraged.
The data in this field 008 data element is used for retrieval and duplicate
detection in many systems. When fill is used in 008/15-17, all three positions
must contain the fill character.
- 35-37 - Language
A three-character MARC code that indicates the language of the item. The source
of the code is MARC Code List for Languages.
Choice of a MARC code is based on the predominant language of the item. Three
fill characters (|||) may also be used if no attempt is made to code 008/35-37.
- 38 - Modified record
A one-character code that indicates whether any data in a bibliographic record
is a modification of information that appeared on the item being cataloged
or that was intended to be included in the MARC record. Codes are assigned
a priority (recorded in the order of the following list) that determines which
code is input when more than one code applies to the item.
- d - Dashed-on information omitted
- o - Completely romanized/printed cards romanized
- r - Completely romanized/printed cards in script
- s - Shortened
Some of the data has been omitted because the record would have exceeded
the maximum length allowed by a particular system.
- x - Missing characters
Characters that could not be converted into machine-readable form due
to character set limitations are missing from the record.
- 39 - Cataloging source
A one-character code that indicates the creator of the original cataloging
record. If the cataloging source is known, it is identified in subfield $a
of field 040 (Cataloging Source).
- # - National bibliographic agency
- c - Cooperative cataloging program
The creator of the bibliographic data is a participant (other than a national
bibliographic agency) in a cooperative cataloging program.
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Character Positions
- 18-21 - Illustrations
Up to four one-character codes (recorded in alphabetical order) that indicate
the presence of types of illustrations in the item. If fewer than four codes
are assigned, the codes are left justified and each unused position contains
a blank (#).
- m - Phonodisc, phonowire, etc.
- 22 - Target audience
A one-character code that indicates the audience for which the item is intended.
- # - Unknown or not specified
- 23 - Form of item
A one-character code that indicates the form of material for the item.
- # - None of the following
- r - Regular print reproduction
Eye-readable print.
- 24-27 - Nature of contents
Up to four one-character codes (recorded in alphabetical order) that indicate
whether a significant part of the item is or contains certain types of material.
If fewer than four codes are assigned, the codes are left justified and each
unused position contains a blank (#).
- # - No specified nature of contents
- a - Abstracts/summaries
The item is or contains abstracts or summaries of other publications.
- d - Dictionaries
This code is also used for a glossary or a gazetteer.
- i - Indexes
The item is or contains an index to bibliographical material other
than itself.
- l - Legislation
The item is or contains full or partial texts of enactments of legislative
bodies or texts of rules and regulations issued by executive or administrative
agencies.
- m - Theses
Indicates that the item is a thesis, dissertation, or work identified
as having been created to satisfy the requirements for an academic certification
or degree.
- n - Surveys of literature in a subject area
The item is or contains authored surveys that summarize what has been
published about a subject.
- o - Reviews
The item is or contains critical reviews of published or performed works.
- u - Standards/specifications
- v - Legal cases and case notes
- w - Law reports and digests
- z - Treaties
Indicates that the item is a treaty or accord negotiated between two or
more parties to settle a disagreement, establish a relationship, grant
rights, etc.
- 28 - Government publication
A one-character code that indicates whether the item is published or produced
by or for a government agency, and, if so, the jurisdictional level of the
agency.
- # - Not a government publication
- a - Autonomous or semi-autonomous component
- i - International intergovernmental
- o - Government publication--level undetermined
- s - State, provincial, territorial, dependent, etc.
- u - Unknown if item is government publication
- 29 - Conference publication
A one-character code that indicates whether the item consists of the proceedings,
reports, or summaries of a conference.
- 0 - Not a conference publication
- 1 - Conference publication
- 30 - Festschrift
A one-character code that indicates whether the item is a festschrift.
- 31 - Index
A one-character code that indicates whether the item includes an index to
its own contents.
- 32 - Undefined
Contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 33 - Literary form
Indicates the literary form of an item. Numeric codes 0 and 1 provide a generic
identification of whether or not the item is a work of fiction. Alphabetic
codes may be used to identify specific literary forms.
- 0 - Not fiction (not further specified)
- 1 - Fiction (not further specified)
- h - Humor, satires, etc.
Indicates that the item is a humorous work, satire, or of a similar literary
form.
- i - Letters
Indicates that the item is a single letter or collection of correspondence.
- j - Short stories
Indicates that the item is a short story or collection of short stories.
- m - Mixed forms
Indicates that the items represents a variety of literary forms (e.g.,
poetry and short stories).
- 34 - Biography
A one-character code that indicates whether the item contains biographical
material, and, if so, what the biographical characteristics are.
- # - No biographical material
- d - Contains biographical information
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Character Positions
- 18-21 - Undefined
Each contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 22 - Target audience
A one-character code that indicates the audience for which the item is intended.
- # - Unknown or not specified
- 23-25 - Undefined
Each contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 26 - Type of computer file
A one-character code that indicates the type of computer file described in
the bibliographic record.
- c - Representational
Pictorial or graphic information that can be manipulated in conjunction
with other types of files to produce graphic patterns that can be used
to interpret and give meaning to the information.
- i - Interactive multimedia
- j - Online system or service
- 27 - Undefined
Contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 28 - Government publication
A one-character code that indicates whether the computer file is published
or produced by or for a government agency, and, if so, the jurisdictional
level of the agency.
- # - Not a government publication
- a - Autonomous or semi-autonomous component
- i - International intergovernmental
- o - Government publication--level undetermined
- s - State, provincial, territorial, dependent, etc.
- u - Unknown if item is government publication
- 29-34 - Undefined
Each contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
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Character Positions
- 18-21 - Relief
Up to four one-character codes that indicate the relief type specified on
the item. Codes are recorded in order of their importance to the described
item. If fewer than four codes are assigned, the codes are left justified
and each unused position contains a blank (#).
- c - Gradient and bathymetric tints
- 22-23 - Projection
A two-character code that indicates the projection used in producing the item.
- ## - Projection not specified
- ac - Lambert's azimuthal equal area
- ae - Azimuthal equidistant
- ag - General vertical near-sided
- am - Modified stereographic for Alaska
- an - Chamberlin trimetric
- au - Azimuthal, specific type unknown
- bb - Goode's homolographic
- bc - Lambert's cylindrical equal area
- bs - Space oblique Mercator
- bu - Cylindrical, specific type unknown
- cc - Lambert's conformal conic
- cu - Conic, specific type unknown
- de - Miller's bipolar oblique conformal conic
- 24 - Undefined
Each contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 25 - Type of cartographic material
A one-character code that indicates the type of nonbook cartographic item
described in the bibliographic record.
- b - Map series
A number of related but physically separate and bibliographically distinct
cartographic units intended by the producer or issuing body to form a
single group.
- c - Map serial
A cartographic publication issued in successive parts bearing numerical
or chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely.
- f - Separate map supplement to another work
- g - Map bound as part of another work
- 26-27 - Undefined
Each contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 28 - Government publication
A one-character code that indicates whether the item is published or produced
by or for a government agency, and, if so, the jurisdictional level of the
agency.
- # - Not a government publication
- a - Autonomous or semi-autonomous component
- i - International intergovernmental
- o - Government publication--level undetermined
- s - State, provincial, territorial, dependent, etc.
- u - Unknown if item is government publication
- 29 - Form of item
A one-character code that indicates the form of material for the item.
- # - None of the following
- r - Regular print reproduction
Eye-readable print.
- 30 - Undefined
Contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 31 - Index
A one-character code that indicates whether the item or accompanying material
includes a location index or gazetteer.
- 32 - Undefined
Contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 33-34 - Special format characteristics
Up to two one-character codes that indicate the special format characteristics
of the map. Codes are recorded in order of their importance to the described
item. If only one code is assigned, it is left justified and the unused position
contains a blank (#).
- # - No specified special format characteristics
- j - Picture card, post card
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Character Positions
- 18-19 - Form of composition
A two-character code that indicates the form of composition. The codes are
based on Library of Congress subject headings. If more than one code is appropriate,
the code mu (Multiple forms) is used in 008/18-19 and all appropriate
specific codes are given in field 047 (Form of Composition).
- cb - Chants, Other religions
- cp - Chansons, polyphonic
- df - Dance forms
Separate codes are defined for mazurkas, minuets, pavans, polonaises,
and waltzes.
- dv - Divertimentos, serenades, cassations, divertissements, notturni
- mc - Musical revues and comedies
- mp - Motion picture music
- st - Studies and exercises
- 20 - Format of music
A one-character code that indicates the format of a musical composition.
- b - Full score, miniature or study size
- c - Accompaniment reduced for keyboard
- e - Condensed score or piano-conductor score
- m - Multiple score formats
- 21 - Music parts
- # - No parts in hand or not specified
- d - Instrumental and vocal parts
- 22 - Target audience
Indicates the audience for which the item is intended.
- # - Unknown or not specified
- 23 - Form of item
A one-character code that indicates the form of material for the item being
described.
- # - None of the following
- r - Regular print reproduction
Eye-readable print.
- s - Electronic
- | - No attempt to code
- 24-29 - Accompanying matter
Up to six one-character codes (recorded in alphabetical order) that indicate
the contents of program notes and other accompanying material for the sound
recording, manuscript notated music, or notated music. If fewer than six codes
are assigned, the codes are left justified and each unused position contains
a blank (#).
- # - No accompanying matter
- e - Biography of composer or author
- f - Biography of performer or history of ensemble
- g - Technical and/or historical information on instruments
- h - Technical information on music
- i - Historical information
- k - Ethnological information
- r - Instructional materials
- 30-31 - Literary text for sound recordings
Up to two one-character codes (recorded in the order of the following list)
that indicate the type of literary text contained in a nonmusical sound recording.
If only one code is assigned, it is left justified and the unused position
contains a blank (#).
- # - Item is a musical sound recording
- c - Conference proceedings
- 32 - Undefined
Contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 33 - Transposition and arrangement
- # - Not arrangement or transposition or not specified
- c - Both transposed and arranged
- 34 - Undefined
Contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
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Character Positions
- 18 - Frequency
A one-character code that indicates the frequency of an item; used in conjunction
with 008/19 (Regularity).
- # - No determinable frequency
Frequency is intentionally irregular.
- b - Bimonthly
Includes 6, 7, or 8 numbers a year.
- f - Semiannual
Includes 2 numbers a year.
- m - Monthly
Includes 9, 10, 11, or 12 numbers a year.
- q - Quarterly
Includes 4 numbers a year.
- 19 - Regularity
A one-character code that indicates the intended regularity of an item; used
in conjunction with 008/18 (Frequency).
- n - Normalized irregular
Predictable irregularity pattern.
- x - Completely irregular
The frequency is known to be intentionally irregular (008/18, code #)
or the frequency is expressed on the item as numbers per year.
- 20 - ISSN center
A one-character code that indicates the ISSN center responsible for assigning
and maintaining certain data related to an item.
- # - No ISSN center code assigned
Used by North American organizations other
than CONSER participants and the National Serials Data Program (NSDP).
- 0 - International Center
The ISSN center is in Paris, France.
- 1 - United States
The United States National Serials Data Program.
- 2 - United Kingdom
The ISSN UK Center.
- 4 - Canada
The ISSN Canada.
- 21 - Type of continuing resource
A one-character code that indicates the type of continuing resource.
- # - None of the following
This code is also used for yearbooks and annual reports.
- 22 - Form of original item
A one-character code that indicates the form of material in which an item
was originally published.
- # - None of the following
- 23 - Form of item
A one-character code that indicates the form of material for the item being
described.
- # - None of the following
- r - Regular print reproduction
Eye-readable print.
- 24 - Nature of entire work
A one-character code that indicates the nature of an item if it consists entirely
of a certain type of material. If more than one code is applicable, 008/24
contains a blank (#) and up to three codes may be recorded in 008/25-27 (Nature
of contents).
- # - No specified nature of entire work
- a - Abstracts/summaries
The item consists of abstracts or summaries of other publications.
- d - Dictionaries
This code is also used for a glossary or a gazetteer.
- i - Indexes
The item consists of an index to bibliographical material other than itself.
- l - Legislation
The item consists of full or partial texts of enactments of legislative
bodies or texts of rules and regulations issued by executive or administrative
agencies.
- m - Theses
Indicates that the item is a thesis, dissertation, or work identified
as having been created to satisfy the requirements for an academic certification
or degree.
- n - Surveys of literature in a subject area
The item is or contains authored surveys that summarize what has been
published about a subject.
- o - Reviews
The item consists of critical reviews of published or performed works.
- u - Standards/specifications
- v - Legal cases and case notes
- w - Law reports and digests
- z - Treaties
Indicates that the item is a treaty or accord negotiated between two or
more parties to settle a disagreement, establish a relationship, grant
rights, etc.
- 25-27 - Nature of contents
Up to three one-character codes (recorded in alphabetical order) that indicate
that a work contains certain types of materials. If fewer than three codes
are assigned, the codes are left justified and each unused position contains
a blank (#).
- # - No specified nature of contents
- a - Abstracts/summaries
The item consists of abstracts or summaries of other
publications.
- d - Dictionaries
This code is also used for a glossary or a gazetteer.
- i - Indexes
The item consists of an index to bibliographical material other than itself.
- l - Legislation
The item consists of full or partial texts of enactments of legislative
bodies or texts of rules and regulations issued by executive or administrative
agencies.
- m - Theses
Indicates that the item is a thesis, dissertation, or work identified
as having been created to satisfy the requirements for an academic certification
or degree.
- n - Surveys of literature in a subject area
The item is or contains authored surveys that summarize what has been
published about a subject
- o - Reviews
The item consists of critical reviews of published or performed works.
- u - Standards/specifications
- v - Legal cases and case notes
- w - Law reports and digests
- z - Treaties
Indicates that the item is a treaty or accord negotiated between two or
more parties to settle a disagreement, establish a relationship, grant
rights, etc.
- 28 - Government publication
A one-character code that indicates whether an item is published or produced
by or for a government agency, and, if so, the jurisdictional level of the
agency.
- # - Not a government publication
- a - Autonomous or semi-autonomous component
- i - International intergovernmental
- o - Government publication--level undetermined
- s - State, provincial, territorial, dependent, etc.
- u - Unknown if item is government publication
- 29 - Conference publication
A one-character code that indicates whether an item consists of the proceedings,
reports, or summaries of a conference.
- 0 - Not a conference publication
- 1 - Conference publication
- 30-32 - Undefined
Each contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 33 - Original alphabet or script of title
A one-character code that indicates the original alphabet or script of the
language of the title on the source item upon which the key title (field 222)
is based.
- # - No alphabet or script given/no key title
This code may relate to the title proper in field 245 when no key title
is present.
- a - Basic Roman
Includes no diacritics or special characters.
- b - Extended Roman
Includes diacritics and special characters.
- z - Other
Includes instances of a title that incorporates words from more than one
alphabet or script.
- 34 - Entry convention
A one-character code that indicates whether an item was cataloged according
to successive entry, latest entry or integrated entry cataloging conventions.
- 0 - Successive entry
A new bibliographic record is created each time a title changes or a corporate
body used as a main entry or uniform title qualifier changes. The earlier
or later title or author/title is recorded in a linking 780/785 field
in each record.
- 1 - Latest entry
The item is cataloged under its most recent title or issuing body (pre-AACR
cataloging rules). All former titles and/or issuing bodies are given in
notes (fields 247, 547, and 550).
- 2 - Integrated entry
A record is cataloged under its latest (most recent) title and/or
responsible person or corporate body. It is used for integrating
resources and electronic serials that do not retain their earlier titles.
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Character Positions
- 18-20 - Running time for motion pictures and videorecordings
A three-digit number that indicates the total running time of the motion picture
or videorecording. The number is right justified and each unused position
contains a zero.
- 000 - Running time exceeds three characters
- --- - Running time unknown
- 21 - Undefined
Contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 22 - Target audience
A one-character code that indicates the audience for which the item is
intended.
- # - Unknown or not specified
- 23-27 - Undefined
Each contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 28 - Government publication
A one-character code that indicates whether the item is published or produced
by or for a government agency, and, if so, the jurisdictional level of the
agency.
- # - Not a government publication
- a - Autonomous or semi-autonomous component
- i - International intergovernmental
- o - Government publication--level undetermined
- s - State, provincial, territorial, dependent, etc.
- u - Unknown if item is government publication
- 29 - Form of item
A one-character code that indicates the form of material for the item.
- # - None of the following
- r - Regular print reproduction
Eye-readable print.
- 30-32 - Undefined
Each contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 33 - Type of visual material
A one-character code that indicates the type of visual material item.
- b - Kit
An item that contains a mixture of components from two or more categories,
no one of which is the predominant constituent of the item.
- 34 - Technique
A one-character code that indicates the technique used in creating motion
in the motion picture or videorecording.
- c - Animation and live action
- n - Not applicable
Item is not a motion picture or a videorecording.
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Character Positions
- 18-22 - Undefined
Each contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
- 23 - Form of item
A one-character code that indicates the form of material for the item.
- # - None of the following
- r - Regular print reproduction
Eye-readable print.
- 24-34 - Undefined
Each contains a blank (#) or fill character (|)
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