Avoid creating “hybrid records” by revising the master record with different language-based data elements

One of typical cases is that N5L (=National Library of China) original MARC records having 040 $b “chi” which should mean that the record represents the Chinese language “cataloged” bibliographic record. These records usually contain the 300 field with Chinese script data, and may also contain 500 note fields with Chinese script data. These master records should not be changed into the English-language cataloged record by editing the 300 field and 500 note fields with English texts.

DO NOT revise the record, instead, please create a new English-language cataloged version of the record. The Chinese version record and the English-version record for the same bibliographic entity are not considered duplicate records but they are parallel records to each other. The 040 $b coding such as “chi” or “eng” is for the language of cataloging of that record.

For details, read Ms Hisako Kotaka, OCLC message posted on CEAL list serve.