Comparison of MARC Content Designation Utilization in OCLC WorldCat Records with National, Core, and Minimal Level Record Standards

Abstract

Commonly used fields and subfields in 56 million Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) WorldCat bibliographic records are identified based on the analysis of format-specific record sets and the calculation of utilization thresholds, with the purpose of comparing these elements with existing recommendations by Library of Congress (LC) agencies for national, core, and minimal level records. The background and purposes of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) BIBCO, CONSER, and National and Minimal Level Record Requirements are reviewed. Methodology for conducting the analyses, as well as factors affecting and influencing the analysis methodology, is explained. Results of the comparison of commonly used fields and subfields with the elements prescribed in PCC BIBCO, CONSER, and National and Minimal Level Record Requirements are presented. Results provide standards designers and the cataloging community at large with information to facilitate development of cataloging recommendations and guidelines and inform practice.

KEYWORDS:

• MARC21
• MARC utilization
• content designation structures
• national level records
• core level records
• minimal level records
• MARC Content Designation Utilization Project
• cataloging standards
• cataloging practices
• Program for Cooperative Cataloging
• BIBCO
• CONSER

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Research funding is provided by a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, with additional funding provided by the University of North Texas, School of Library and Information Sciences.

Notes

^[a]Footnotes that appear in the standards to qualify the requirements have been removed.

^[a]Items marked with an asterisk are based on subfield level requirement, field block requirement, or character position requirements.

^[a]Items marked with an asterisk are based on subfield level requirement, field block requirement, or character position requirements.

^[a]Items marked with single asterisk are based on field level requirement. Items marked with double asterisk are based on field block requirement.

^[a]Items marked with single asterisk are based on field level requirement. Items marked with double asterisk are based on field block requirement.

^[a]Items marked with single asterisk are based on field level requirement. Items marked with double asterisk are based on field block requirement.

^[a]Items marked with single asterisk are based on field level requirement. Items marked with double asterisk are based on field block requirement.

^[a]Items marked with single asterisk are based on field level requirement. Items marked with double asterisk are based on field block requirement.

^[a]Items marked with single asterisk are based on field level requirement. Items marked with double asterisk are based on field block requirement.

^[a] Legend:

^[a] Legend: