-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        QC Tip of the Month / September 2010
Date:   Tue, 7 Sep 2010 09:41:04 -0400
From:   Goodson,Luanne <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To:       askqc <[log in to unmask]>
To:     <[log in to unmask]>




This message is being widely cross-posted.


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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.


Please send any questions or concerns to: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>




Luanne Goodson
Consulting Database Specialist
OCLC Quality Control Section
6565 Kilgour Place MC 139
Dublin, Ohio, USA 43017-3395