BibFormats

Freq:  Frequency

Record Type

BIB

Bytes

CNR: 008/18; 006/01

Input Standards

CNR: Optional. One-character code. Default: fill character

Definition

The frequency of a resource or, in the case of integrating resources, updates to a resource.

Codes

 
 
blank character

No determinable frequency. The resource has no determinable frequency. Use when the frequency is known to be intentionally irregular.

 
a

Annual. The resource is issued or updated once a year.

 
b

Bimonthly. The resource is issued or updated every two months. Use also for publications whose frequency is identified as six, seven, or eight numbers a year.

 
c

Semiweekly. The resource is issued or updated twice a week.

 
d

Daily. The resource is issued or updated once a day. May include Saturday and Sunday.

 
e

Biweekly. The resource is issued or updated every two weeks.

 
f

Semiannual. The resource is issued or updated twice a year. Use also for publications whose frequency is identified as two numbers a year.

 
g

Biennial. The resource is issued or updated every two years.

 
h

Triennial. The resource is issued or updated every three years.

 
i

Three times a week. The resource is issued or updated three times a week.

 
j

Three times a month. The resource is issued or updated three times a month.

 
k

Continuously updated. The resource is updated more frequently than daily.

 
m

Monthly. The resource is issued or updated every month. Includes frequencies of nine, ten, eleven, or twelve numbers a year.

 
q

Quarterly. The resource is issued or updated every three months. Use also for publications whose frequency is identified as four numbers a year.

 
s

Semimonthly. The resource is issued or updated twice a month.

 
t

Three times a year. The resource is issued or updated three times a year.

 
u

Unknown. The current frequency is not known. When code u is used in Freq, code u must also be used in Regl.

 
w

Weekly. The resource is issued once a week.

 
z

Other. The frequency of the resource cannot be defined by any of the other codes.

 
fill character

No attempt to code

Assigning codes

The Freq code in a record should agree with the Regl code in that record. See field 310 and field 321 for more information.

Known irregular items. If you know the resource is irregular, use blank in Freq and x in Regl.

Unknown frequency, unknown irregularity. If you do not know the frequency, and the resource is not known to be irregular, use u for both Freq and Regl.

Complete in one volume, frequency given. If a serial is complete in one volume and frequency is given, follow the general instructions for Freq and Regl.

Complete in one volume, no frequency. If a serial is complete in one volume and no frequency is given, use u for both Freq and Regl.

Ceased publication. If the resource has ceased publication, use the latest frequency in Freq.

Reproductions. Use the code for the frequency and regularity of the original. Use field 539 subfields ǂe and ǂf for frequency and regularity of the reproduction.

One-time reproduction. Use u for field 539 subfields ǂe and ǂf.

Inadequate expression by Freq and Regl codes. Use field 310 for current frequency if Freq and Regl codes cannot adequately express the frequency or if the beginning date of the current frequency does not coincide with the beginning date of publication. See field 310 for more information.

If you are using field 310, use the closest available code in Freq. If no close code is available, use z. The phrases two issues yearly, four issues yearly, six issues yearly, and twelve issues yearly are used in field 310 for serials issued in the stated number of issues, but not appearing at regular intervals. If the resource is issued on a regular semiannual, quarterly, bimonthly, or monthly schedule, the appropriate Freq code is sufficient. The Regl code is r.

Field 310 Freq Regl
Two issues yearly f x
Four issues yearly q x
Five issues yearly q x
Six issues yearly b x
Seven issues yearly b x
Eight issues yearly b x
Nine issues yearly m x
Ten issues yearly m x
Eleven issues yearly m x
Twelve issues yearly m x
Quinquennial z x

Frequency varies note. If the record has a "Frequency varies" note in field 321, use z in Freq and x in Regl.

Cumulations. If the record describes a serial that cumulates, use the code in Freq for the frequency of issue, including cumulation. Describe the frequency of issue and cumulation in field 310. Use the appropriate Regl code (r, n, x, or u). If the serial is regular and the cumulation is a regularly numbered issue, use r in Regl. If the serial is regular and the cumulation is an extra issue, use n in Regl.

Freq     b
Regl     r
310     Bimonthly, with the last issue being cumulative for the year
Freq     m
Regl     n
310     Monthly (except July and August)

Indexing

This fixed field element is not indexed.

MARC 21

For more information, including content designator history, see MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data, 008/18 (Continuing Resources).