-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        OCLC QC Tip of the Month / April 2011: OCLC Fixed Field and
MARC Codes
Date:   Mon, 2 Apr 2012 12:51:02 -0400
From:   Goodson,Luanne <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To:       askqc <[log in to unmask]>
To:     <[log in to unmask]>



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OCLC Fixed Field and MARC Codes

The supporting documentation for filling out the OCLC Fixed Field in
WorldCat bibliographic records can be found in OCLC’s Bibliographic
Formats and Standards
(BFAS)___http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/fixedfield/default.shtm_.
Each element (which is actually an 008 field byte) is linked to BFAS.
Simply click on the label and you will be taken to the appropriate BFAS
page.

Many codes must be retrieved from MARC documentation; BFAS is meant to
be used in conjunction with MARC Standards. The OCLC Fixed Field element
"Lang" [Language Code]
___http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/fixedfield/lang.shtm_is one such
example. Although Connexion Client has pull-down menus to assist users
these menus only provide the code. To be sure you are selecting the
correct code, consult the MARC Code List for
Languages___http://www.loc.gov/marc/languages/langhome.html_.

While most language codes are mnemonic, there are some exceptions which
frequently cause trouble for users. Three of these are:

Romanian (rum) as opposed to Romany (rom)

Basque (baq) vs Basa (bas)

Mandarin (chi) vs Mandingo (man)

Note that both Cantonese and Mandarin are dialects of Chinese and are
coded as 'chi'

Another Fixed Field element which requires consultation of a list is
"Ctry" [Country of Publication,
etc.]___http://www.oclc.org/bibformats/en/fixedfield/ctry.shtm_.
Connexion Client has a pull-down menu to assist with entering the code,
but the definition of each code is in the MARC Code List for
Countries___http://www.loc.gov/marc/countries/_. For places of
publication within the United States, use a code for the specific state;
use a code for the specific province if the place of publication is
within Canada. For items published in Australia, use either the
three-character codes for Australian states and territories or the
two-character code at for Australia. In the three-character codes, the
first two characters represent the state or territory and the third
character represents the country. Most other countries have two
character codes.


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Luanne Goodson

OCLC Quality Control Section

6565 Kilgour Place MC 139

Dublin, Ohio, USA 43017-3395

1-800-848-5878