MARC 21 Concise Classification:
Classification Number and Term Fields (15X)

This is an ARCHIVED VERSION of the 2002 electronic edition of the MARC 21 Concise Formats.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.

The Classification Number and Term fields contain either one or more classification numbers from a schedule or table, as identified in 008/06 (Kind of record, code a for schedule or b for table), and associated caption(s), or a general explanatory index term, as identified in 008/06 (Kind of record, code c for index term only). A classification data record must contain one 1XX field, which is constructed according to the classification scheme that is identified in field 084 (Classification Scheme and Edition). Field 153 (Classification Number) is used if the record is an authority for a classification number or span and its associated caption and caption hierarchy. Field 154 (General Explanatory Index Term) is used if the index term cannot be accommodated in one of the 70X-75X Index Term Fields in a schedule or table record because it does not have an associated classification number.

• 153 - CLASSIFICATION NUMBER (NR)
• 154 - GENERAL EXPLANATORY INDEX TERM (NR)

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.

153 - CLASSIFICATION NUMBER (NR)

Classification numbers that are constructed according to the classification scheme that is identified in field 084 (Classification Scheme and Edition). This field may contain a single classification number (008/07, Type of number, code a) or a span of classification numbers (008/07, code b or c) from a schedule (008/06, Kind of record, code a) or from a table (008/06, code b) and its associated caption (subfield $j) and caption hierarchy (subfields $h and $k). The subject context of the classification number is indicated by the preceding hierarchy captions contained in repeatable subfields $h and $k. (Field 153 must contain at least one subfield $a and one subfield $j.)

Indicators

• First - Undefined
  • # - Undefined
• Second - Undefined
  • # - Undefined

Subfield Codes

• $a - Classification number--single number or beginning number of span (R)
• $c - Classification number--ending number of span (R)
• $h - Caption hierarchy (R)
  A caption for each higher level of the caption hierarchy that precedes the caption for a classification number or span that is contained in subfield $j (Caption). The caption at the highest level is recorded in the first subfield $h. The caption at each successive level is recorded in sequence in separate subfields $h up to and including the level that precedes the caption contained in subfield $j. Captions for all levels of the hierarchy are recorded in the field. If the caption in subfield $j is the highest level of the hierarchy, subfield $h is not used. (However, some systems may wish to omit some levels of the hierarchy for display purposes.) A caption hierarchy for classification numbers in a summary number span in the Dewey Decimal Classification is contained in subfield $k (Summary number span caption hierarchy).
• $j - Caption (NR)
  The lowest caption in the caption hierarchy for a classification number or span.
• $k - Summary number span caption hierarchy (R)
  The caption at a level higher than the last for a summary number span when the classification scheme identified in field 084 (Classification Scheme and Edition) is the Dewey Decimal Classification. Caption hierarchies for single classification numbers, defined numbers spans, or other types of summary number spans are contained in subfield $h. The last caption in the caption hierarchy for a summary number span in field 153 (008/07, Type of number, code c for summary number span) is recorded in subfield $j.
• $z - Table identification (NR)
  The identification of the table to which the classification number belongs. The identification of the table by which a classification number or span is further subarranged is contained in field 762 (Table Identification). Subfield $z is input before the first element of the classification number in the first subfield $a.
• $6 - Linkage (NR) See Control Subfields
• $8 - Field link and sequence number (R) See Control Subfields

Examples

Go to top of document

154 - GENERAL EXPLANATORY INDEX TERM (NR)

A general explanatory term from the index to the classification scheme that is identified in field 084 (Classification Scheme and Edition). Field 154 is appropriate only in an index term record (008/06, Kind of record, code c) that is created because the index term cannot be accommodated in a 70X-75X Index Term field in a schedule or table record (008/06, code a or b) that contains a classification number in field 153 (Classification Number). This occurs when the index term is not associated with one classification number or span. Field 753 (Index Term-Uncontrolled) is always used in a record containing field 154 to direct the user to different locations within the classification scheme for classifying the topic.

Indicators

• First - Undefined
  • # - Undefined
• Second - Undefined
  • # - Undefined

Subfield Codes

• $a - General explanatory index term (NR)
  A term representing a general concept that may be found in numerous places in the classification scheme identified in field 084 (Classification Scheme and Edition).
• $b - General explanatory index term--succeeding level (R)
  A term at a level after the first in a general explanatory index term.
• $f - Schedule identification (R)
  The identification of the schedule or subclass to which the index term is related.
• $6 - Linkage (NR) See Control Subfields
• $8 - Field link and sequence number (R) See Control Subfields

Examples

Go to top of document

Go to: MARC 21 Concise Classification Format (Archived) | MARC Home Page