The Ohio State University

MARC in a nutshell

• MARC stands for “MAchine Readable Cataloging”! “Machine” here refers to a computer in an automated library system.
• MARC is, as a mainstream, the format used to create cataloging records for libraries’ online catalog.
• The two cataloging programs, Connexion and Millennium, we use to do cataloging job both handle the MARC format.

MARC anatomy

• Each MARC record consists of many fields.
• All the fields are grouped into two big areas. The upper part is Fixed Field and the lower, Variable Field.
• As a beginner, you only need to pay attention to some of the fields as mentioned in the following table.
• Note: Do NOT attempt to remember all details of MARC fields — that will make you dizzy! In stead, try to have a whole picture of the fields and get familiar with those important ones gradually by your routine works. Just as a shepherd may not be able to tell you the exact number of sheep he has, but he can notice immediately if one of them is missing! So does a cataloger can tell something is wrong in a MARC record.

Let’s first take a look at some of the variable fields in a MARC record.

Now, some Fixed Fields we need to pay particular attention
– The Fixed Fields concern questions including what cataloging rule we follow when we create a bibliographic record, what level of record we are creating, when the entity is published, what the language of the publication is and what country the publishing agent belongs to? etc.

Example records

xxxxx