While the MARC Advisory Committee has a full slate of proposals and discussion papers for the upcoming meetings, there are few that relate specifically to cartographic resources. Proposal 2017-05 would add a subfield for color to Field 340, which is used for physical description information for an item that requires technical equipment for its use or an item that has special conservation or storage needs. This then could impact rare map cataloging.

Discussion paper 2017-DP03 explores the potential ways to add accessibility information to the bibliographic format to indicate content that provides alternative sensory modes to perceive the primary content of a resource. This could apply to tactile maps.

Discussion paper 2017-DP04 posits adding subfields to Filed 777 (Issued With Entry) that would 

allow the use of the field for monographs as well as serials. The subfields suggested are $r for report number, $u for standard technical report number, and $z International Standard Book Number.

A discussion paper that has generated some discussion already is 2015-DP05 which would like the use of the $5 in the 6XX fields to be broadened to allow the use of $5 to show what library's rules and regulations were used to create the 6XX field. Reaction to this paper thus far is mixed.

Discussion paper 2017-DP02 suggests adding field 758 which would be defined as a related work identifier for those cases where a work identifier or URI is available but is not explicitly associated with an authorized access point or other title construction. This would allow the inclusion of a URI pointing to a non-library source such as a Wikidata entry.

Hoping for good weather in Atlanta.

Susan Moore

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA  50613