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Contents   Fixed field   0xx   1xx   2xx   3xx   4xx   5xx   6xx   7xx   8xx   9xx

Desc  Descriptive Cataloging Form


Bytes

 ALL: Leader/18

Input Standards

 ALL: Mandatory. One-character code. Default: fill character

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
blank character Non-ISBD. Item has not been cataloged according to ISBD.
a AACR2. Item has been cataloged according to Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, second edition. Use also for materials cataloged according to Cartographic Materials: A Manual of Interpretation for AACR2 or other AACR2 manuals approved by LC or ALA.

In some cases, enter the appropriate code for the rules on which the cataloging is based in field 040 subfield ‡e. See field 040 for more information.

i ISBD. Record has the descriptive cataloging and punctuation conventions of ISBD, but is known to be a non-AACR2 record (e.g., retrospective records entered with ISBD punctuation but pre-AACR2 access points). In some cases, enter the appropriate code for the rules on which the cataloging is based in field 040 subfield ‡e. See field 040 for more information.
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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