Fixed field that comprises the first 24 character positions
(00-23) of each bibliographic record and consists of data
elements that contain numbers or coded values that define the
parameters for the processing of the record.
Character positions 20-23 comprise the Entry map for the
Directory. They contain four one-character numbers that specify
the structure of the entries in the Directory. More detailed
information about the structure of the Leader is contained in
MARC 21
Specifications for Record Structure, Character Sets, and
Exchange Media.
05 - Record status
One-character alphabetic code that indicates the
relationship of the record to a file for file maintenance
purposes.
a - Increase in encoding level
Encoding level (Leader/17) of the record has been changed
to a higher encoding level.
c - Corrected or revised
Addition/change other than in the Encoding level code has
been made to the record.
d - Deleted
n - New
p - Increase in encoding level from
prepublication
Prepublication record has had a change in cataloging
level resulting from the availability of the published
item.
06 - Type of record
One-character alphabetic code used to define the
characteristics and components of the record.
a - Language material
Includes microforms and electronic resources that are
basically textual in nature, whether they are
reproductions from print or originally produced.
c - Notated music
Used for printed, microform, or electronic notated music.
d - Manuscript notated music
Used for manuscript notated music or a microform of
manuscript music.
e - Cartographic material
Includes maps, atlases, globes, digital maps, and other
cartographic items.
f - Manuscript cartographic material
Used for manuscript cartographic material or a microform
of manuscript cartographic material.
g - Projected medium
Used for motion pictures, videorecordings (including
digital video), filmstrips, slide, transparencies or
material specifically designed for projection.
i - Nonmusical sound recording
Used for a recording of nonmusical sounds (e.g., speech).
j - Musical sound recording
Used for a musical sound recording (e.g., phonodiscs,
compact discs, or cassette tapes.
k - Two-dimensional nonprojectable graphic
Used for two-dimensional nonprojectable graphics such as,
activity cards, charts, collages, computer graphics,
digital pictures, drawings, duplication masters, flash
cards, paintings, photo CDs, photomechanical
reproductions, photonegatives, photoprints, pictures,
postcards, posters, prints, spirit masters, study prints,
technical drawings, transparency masters, and
reproductions of any of these.
m - Computer file
Used for the following classes of electronic resources:
computer software (including programs, games, fonts),
numeric data, computer-oriented multimedia, online
systems or services. For these classes of materials, if
there is a significant aspect that causes it to fall into
another Leader/06 category, the code for that significant
aspect is used instead of code m (e.g., vector data that
is cartographic is not coded as numeric but as
cartographic). Other classes of electronic resources are
coded for their most significant aspect (e.g. language
material, graphic, cartographic material, sound, music,
moving image). In case of doubt or if the most
significant aspect cannot be determined, consider the
item a computer file.
o - Kit
Used for a mixture of various components issued as a unit
and intended primarily for instructional purposes where
no one item is the predominant component of the kit.
r - Three-dimensional artifact or naturally
occurring object
Includes man-made objects such as models, dioramas,
games, puzzles, simulations, sculptures and other
three-dimensional art works, exhibits, machines,
clothing, toys, and stitchery. Also includes naturally
occurring objects such as, microscope specimens (or
representations of them) and other specimens mounted for
viewing.
t - Manuscript language material
07 - Bibliographic level
One-character alphabetic code indicating the bibliographic
level of the record.
a - Monographic component part
Monographic bibliographic unit that is physically
attached to or contained in another unit such that the
retrieval of the component part is dependent on the
identification and location of the host item or
container. Contains fields that describe the component
part and data that identify the host, field 773 (Host
Item Entry).
b - Serial component part
Serial bibliographic unit that is physically attached to
or contained in another unit such that the retrieval of
the component part is dependent on the identification and
location of the host item or container. Contains fields
that describe the component part and data that identify
the host, field 773 (Host Item Entry).
c - Collection
Made-up multipart group of items that were not originally
published, distributed, or produced together. The record
describes units defined by common provenance or
administrative convenience for which the record is
intended as the most comprehensive in the system.
d - Subunit
Part of collection, especially an archival unit described
collectively elsewhere in the system. Contains fields
that describe the subunit and data that identify the host
item.
i - Integrating resource
Bibliographic resource that is added to or changed by
means of updates that do not remain discrete and are
integrated into the whole. Examples include updating
loose-leafs and updating Web sites.
m - Monograph/Item
Item either complete in one part (e.g., a single
monograph, a single map, a single manuscript, etc.) or
intended to be completed, in a finite number of separate
parts (e.g., a multivolume monograph, a sound recording
with multiple tracks, etc.).
s - Serial
Bibliographic item issued in successive parts bearing
numerical or chronological designations and intended to
be continued indefinitely. Includes periodicals;
newspapers; annuals (reports, yearbooks, etc.); the
journals, memoirs, proceedings, transactions, etc., of
societies; and numbered monographic series, etc.
17 - Encoding level
One-character alphanumeric code that indicates the fullness
of the bibliographic information and/or content designation
of the MARC record.
# - Full level
Most complete MARC record created from information
derived from an inspection of the physical item.
1 - Full level, material not examined
Next most complete MARC record after the full level
created from information derived from an extant
description of the item (e.g., a printed catalog card or
a description in an institutional guide) without
reinspection of the physical item. Used primarily in the
retrospective conversion of records when all of the
information on the extant description is transcribed.
Certain control field coding and other data (e.g., field
043 (Geographic Area Code)) are based only on explicit
information in the description.
2 - Less-than-full level, material not
examined
Less-than-full level record (i.e., a record that falls
between minimal level and full) created from an extant
description of the material (e.g., a printed catalog
card) without reinspection of the physical item. Used
primarily in the retrospective conversion of records when
all of the descriptive access points but only a specified
subset of other data elements are transcribed.
Authoritative headings may not be current.
3 - Abbreviated level
Brief record that does not meet minimal level cataloging
specifications. Headings in the records may reflect
established forms to the extent that such forms were
available at the time the record was created.
4 - Core level
5 - Partial (preliminary) level
Preliminary cataloging level record that is not
considered final by the creating agency (e.g., the
headings may not reflect established forms; the record
may not meet national-level cataloging specifications).
7 - Minimal level
Record that meets the U.S. National Level Bibliographic
Record minimal level cataloging specifications and is
considered final by the creating agency. Headings have
been checked against an authority file and reflect
established forms to the extent that such forms were
available at the time the minimal level record was
created. The U.S. requirements for minimal-level records
can be found in
National
Level and Minimal Level Record Requirements
8 - Prepublication level
Prepublication level record. Includes records created in
cataloging in publication programs.
u - Unknown
Used by an agency receiving or sending data with a local
code in Leader/17 cannot adequately determine the
appropriate encoding level of the record. Code u thus
replaces the local code. Not used in newly input or
updated records.
z - Not applicable
Concept of encoding level does not apply to the record.
18 - Descriptive cataloging form
One-character alphanumeric code that indicates
characteristics of the descriptive data in the record
through reference to cataloging norms. Subfield ‡e
(Description conventions) of field 040 (Cataloging Source)
may contain additional information on the cataloging
conventions used.
# - Non-ISBD
Descriptive portion of the record does not follow
International Standard Bibliographic Description
(ISBD) cataloging and punctuation provisions.
a - AACR 2
Descriptive portion of the record and the choice and form
of entry of the access points are formulated according to
either the second edition of the Anglo-American
Cataloguing Rules, 2nd Edition (AACR 2) or
cataloging manuals based on AACR 2, which follow ISBD in
their descriptive cataloging sections. The punctuation
practices of ISBD apply.
i - ISBD
Descriptive portion of the record is formulated according
to the descriptive and punctuation provisions of ISBD.
Heading forms are not formulated according to AACR 2.
u - Unknown
Institution receiving or sending data in Leader/18 cannot
adequately determine the appropriate descriptive
cataloging form used in the record. May be used in
records converted from another metadata format.
19 - Multipart resource record
level
Record level to which a resource pertains and any record
dependencies. This information will facilitate processing
the record in different situations. For example, the record
may describe a set of items, or it may describe a part of a
set. The part may only have a dependent title to be used
for identification purposes thus requiring use of
additional information to understand its context.
# - Not specified or not applicable
The distinction between record levels is not specified or
not applicable for the type of resource.
a - Set
Record is for a set consisting of multiple items.
b - Part with independent title
The record is for a resource which is part of a set and
has a title that allows it to be independent of the set
record.
c - Part with dependent
title
The record is for a resource which is part of a set but
has a title that makes it dependent on the set record to
understand its context.