Desc Descriptive Cataloging Form
Bytes | ALL: Leader/18 |
Input Standards | ALL: Mandatory. One-character code. Default:  |
Definition | |
| All formats | The form of descriptive cataloging; that is, whether the item has been cataloged according to the provisions of International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD). |
Codes | |
| |  | Non-ISBD. Item has not been cataloged according to ISBD. | |
| | | a | AACR2. Descriptive part of the record is formulated according to the description and punctuation provisions as incorporated into the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, second edition and its manuals. | |
| | | c | ISBD Punctuation Omitted. Descriptive portion of the record follows the punctuation conventions of ISBD, except ISBD punctuation is not present at the end of a subfield. | |
| | | i | ISBD. Descriptive portion of the record contains the punctuation provisions of ISBD. | |
| | | u | Unknown - Item has been cataloged according to Dublin Core.
- Defined only for ELvl codes 3, 5 and M
| |
Printing | The print program uses Desc to identify records cataloged according to the provisions of ISBD. For such records, the print program supplies a space-dash-space (--) between areas, as specified by ISBD and AACR2. |
| | For records with Desc code a or i, the print program supplies the space-dash-space (--) before the following areas: - Edition Statement ( field 250)
- Musical Presentation Statement ( field 254)
- Cartographic Mathematical Data ( field 255)
- Computer File Characteristics ( field 256)
- Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint) ( field 260)
- Dates of Publication and/or Volume Designation ( field 362, first indicator 0)
- First series statement (4xx fields)
If any of the preceding fields ends in final punctuation (. ? !), the print program supplies space-dash-space (--). If the field does not end in final punctuation, the print program supplies period, space-dash-space (. -- ). Print constants for notes (5xx and field 773) vary in style for AACR2 and pre-AACR2 records. The print program uses Desc to differentiate AACR2 and pre-AACR2 records to supply appropriate print constants. |
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