[Koha-devel] Changes to the MARC format: for Katipo

[Ann Barrie]

Good morning, 

We are emailing to update you on changes to the MARC format.

RDA

Resource Description and Access (RDA) is the new cataloguing code that
is intended to replace the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2).
AACR2, and its revisions, have been used by libraries since 1978, so the
change is a substantial shift in direction for cataloguing.   

RDA is currently being tested by North American libraries and the
results of this testing will not be available until around March/April
2011.  OCLC's WorldCat database, http://www.worldcat.org/, has been
updated to support RDA records. Worldcat is an online catalogue of the
collections of approximately 70,000 libraries from over 100 countries. 


MARC changes 

In order to accomodate records created using RDA, there have been
changes to the MARC format. These changes are summarised in the document
RDA in MARC which is available at:
http://www.loc.gov/marc/RDAinMARC29.html 
The changes include the following:

·	Three new fields
1. MARC field 337 - Content type - a term and/or code indicating type
of content e.g. text, sounds, performed music

2. MARC field 338 - Media type - a term and/or code showing what kind
of general device is need to view a resource e.g. computer, projected,
unmediated  

3. MARC field 339 - Carrier type - a term and/or code giving the
specific carrier of the content supplied in field 337 e.g. online
resource, audio disc 

These fields collectively replace the 'h' subfield of the MARC 245
(title) field. The 'h' subfield currently contains the "general material
designation" and is used mainly for non-print or non-textual resources.


·	RDA code
MARC field 040 - Cataloguing Source -  subfield 'e' "Description
conventions"  - contains a code 'rda' for records created using the new
rules

·	Relator terms
Relator terms show the role or relationship between added entries and
the item being described. They are already valid in MARC as subfield 'e'
or '4' of various access fields, however more terms have been added and
a new subfield 'i' has been added for linking fields (76X-78X) 

Other new fields are described in the document referred to above. 

When will these changes affect NZ libraries?

These changes were added to MARC in the October 2009 update, but they
have not yet been implemented in the National Library of New Zealand's
Voyager databases.  While some records containing these fields may be
loaded to the National Union Catalogue during the test phase, we are not
expecting to see many records at this time.  The National Library of New
Zealand is expecting to implement RDA in mid 2011 and we will update the
MARC format in our databases to support this process. 

What do I need to do as a system vendor? 

1. look at the MARC changes

2. Consider how you could implement these changes in your library
system,  noting that the new fields  337 and 339 provide format
information to catalogue users.  These changes may seem relatively minor
but they signal a significant shift in direction for the recording of
bibliographic data and improved service for library users. 

Who can I contact? 

If you would like more information on RDA and its potential impact on
library systems please contact: 

Karen Rollitt
Email: karen.rollitt at natlib.govt.nz 
Tel: +64 4 474 3099


Kind regards,
Ann Barrie


Ann Barrie
Customer Support Consultant
Digital Solutions
National Library of New Zealand
Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
http://www.natlib.govt.nz/librarians 
Tollfree:  0508 837 862