Fixed field that comprises the first 24 character positions (00-23) of each
bibliographic record and consists of data elements that contain numbers or coded values
that define the parameters for the processing of the record.
Character positions 20-23 comprise the Entry map for the Directory. They contain four
one-character numbers that specify the structure of the entries in the Directory. More
detailed information about the structure of the Leader is contained in MARC 21 Specifications for Record
Structure, Character Sets, and Exchange Media.
06 - Type of record One-character alphabetic code used to define the characteristics and components of
the record.
a - Language materialIncludes microforms and electronic resources that are basically textual in
nature, whether they are reproductions from print or originally produced.
c - Notated musicUsed for printed, microform, or electronic notated music.
d - Manuscript notated musicUsed for manuscript notated music or a microform of manuscript music.
e - Cartographic materialIncludes maps, atlases, globes, digital maps, and other cartographic items.
f - Manuscript cartographic materialUsed for manuscript cartographic material or a microform of manuscript
cartographic material.
g - Projected mediumUsed for motion pictures, videorecordings (including digital video),
filmstrips, slide, transparencies or material specifically designed for
projection.
i - Nonmusical sound recordingUsed for a recording of nonmusical sounds (e.g., speech).
j - Musical sound recordingUsed for a musical sound recording (e.g., phonodiscs, compact discs, or
cassette tapes.
k - Two-dimensional nonprojectable graphicUsed for two-dimensional nonprojectable graphics such as, activity cards,
charts, collages, computer graphics, digital pictures, drawings, duplication
masters, flash cards, paintings, photo CDs, photomechanical reproductions,
photonegatives, photoprints, pictures, postcards, posters, prints, spirit
masters, study prints, technical drawings, transparency masters, and
reproductions of any of these.
m - Computer fileUsed for the following classes of electronic resources: computer software
(including programs, games, fonts), numeric data, computer-oriented multimedia,
online systems or services. For these classes of materials, if there is a
significant aspect that causes it to fall into another Leader/06 category, the
code for that significant aspect is used instead of code m (e.g., vector data
that is cartographic is not coded as numeric but as cartographic). Other
classes of electronic resources are coded for their most significant aspect
(e.g. language material, graphic, cartographic material, sound, music, moving
image). In case of doubt or if the most significant aspect cannot be
determined, consider the item a computer file.
o - KitUsed for a mixture of various components issued as a unit and intended
primarily for instructional purposes where no one item is the predominant
component of the kit.
p - Mixed
materialsUsed when there are significant
materials in two or more forms that are usually related by virtue of
their having been accumulated by or about a person or body.
Includes archival fonds and manuscript collections of mixed forms of
materials, such as text, photographs, and sound recordings.
r - Three-dimensional artifact or naturally occurring objectIncludes man-made objects such as models, dioramas, games, puzzles,
simulations, sculptures and other three-dimensional art works, exhibits,
machines, clothing, toys, and stitchery. Also includes naturally occurring
objects such as, microscope specimens (or representations of them) and other
specimens mounted for viewing.
t - Manuscript language material
07 - Bibliographic level One-character alphabetic code indicating the bibliographic level of the
record.
a - Monographic component partMonographic bibliographic unit that is physically attached to or contained in
another unit such that the retrieval of the component part is dependent on the
identification and location of the host item or container. Contains fields that
describe the component part and data that identify the host, field 773 (Host
Item Entry).
b - Serial component partSerial bibliographic unit that is physically attached to or contained in
another unit such that the retrieval of the component part is dependent on the
identification and location of the host item or container. Contains fields that
describe the component part and data that identify the host, field 773 (Host
Item Entry).
c - CollectionMade-up multipart group of items that were not originally published,
distributed, or produced together. The record describes units defined by common
provenance or administrative convenience for which the record is intended as
the most comprehensive in the system.
d - SubunitPart of collection, especially an archival unit described collectively
elsewhere in the system. Contains fields that describe the subunit and data
that identify the host item.
i - Integrating resourceBibliographic resource that is added to or changed by means of updates that do
not remain discrete and are integrated into the whole. Examples include
updating loose-leafs and updating Web sites.
m - Monograph/ItemItem either complete in one part (e.g., a single monograph, a single map, a
single manuscript, etc.) or intended to be completed, in a finite number of
separate parts (e.g., a multivolume monograph, a sound recording with multiple
tracks, etc.).
s - SerialBibliographic item issued in successive parts bearing numerical or
chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely. Includes
periodicals; newspapers; annuals (reports, yearbooks, etc.); the journals,
memoirs, proceedings, transactions, etc., of societies; and numbered
monographic series, etc.
17 - Encoding level One-character alphanumeric code that indicates the fullness of the bibliographic
information and/or content designation of the MARC record.
# - Full levelMost complete MARC record created from information derived from an inspection
of the physical item.
1 - Full level, material not examinedNext most complete MARC record after the full level created from information
derived from an extant description of the item (e.g., a printed catalog card or
a description in an institutional guide) without reinspection of the physical
item. Used primarily in the retrospective conversion of records when all of the
information on the extant description is transcribed. Certain control field
coding and other data (e.g., field 043 (Geographic Area Code)) are based only
on explicit information in the description.
2 - Less-than-full level, material not examinedLess-than-full level record (i.e., a record that falls between minimal level
and full) created from an extant description of the material (e.g., a printed
catalog card) without reinspection of the physical item. Used primarily in the
retrospective conversion of records when all of the descriptive access points
but only a specified subset of other data elements are transcribed.
Authoritative headings may not be current.
3 - Abbreviated levelBrief record that does not meet minimal level cataloging specifications.
Headings in the records may reflect established forms to the extent that such
forms were available at the time the record was created.
4 - Core level
5 - Partial (preliminary) levelPreliminary cataloging level record that is not considered final by the
creating agency (e.g., the headings may not reflect established forms; the
record may not meet national-level cataloging specifications).
7 - Minimal levelRecord that meets the U.S. National Level Bibliographic Record minimal level
cataloging specifications and is considered final by the creating agency.
Headings have been checked against an authority file and reflect established
forms to the extent that such forms were available at the time the minimal
level record was created. The U.S. requirements for minimal-level records can
be found in
National Level and Minimal
Level Record Requirements
8 - Prepublication levelPrepublication level record. Includes records created in cataloging in
publication programs.
u - UnknownUsed by an agency receiving or sending data with a local code in Leader/17
cannot adequately determine the appropriate encoding level of the record. Code
u thus replaces the local code. Not used in newly input or updated records.
z - Not applicableConcept of encoding level does not apply to the record.
18 - Descriptive cataloging form One-character alphanumeric code that indicates characteristics of the descriptive
data in the record through reference to cataloging norms. Subfield ‡e
(Description conventions) of field 040 (Cataloging Source) may contain additional
information on the cataloging conventions used.
# - Non-ISBDDescriptive portion of the record does not follow International Standard
Bibliographic Description (ISBD) cataloging and punctuation
provisions.
a - AACR 2Descriptive portion of the record and the choice and form of entry of the
access points are formulated according to either the second edition of the
Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd Edition (AACR 2) or
cataloging manuals based on AACR 2, which follow ISBD in their descriptive
cataloging sections. The punctuation practices of ISBD apply.
i - ISBDDescriptive portion of the record is formulated according to the descriptive
and punctuation provisions of ISBD. Heading forms are not formulated according
to AACR 2.
u - UnknownInstitution receiving or sending data in Leader/18 cannot adequately determine
the appropriate descriptive cataloging form used in the record. May be used in
records converted from another metadata format.
19 - Multipart resource record level
Record level to which a resource pertains and any record dependencies. This
information will facilitate processing the record in different situations. For
example, the record may describe a set of items, or it may describe a part of a
set. The part may only have a dependent title to be used for identification
purposes thus requiring use of additional information to understand its
context.
# - Not specified or not applicableThe distinction between record levels is not specified or not applicable for
the type of resource.
a - SetRecord is for a set consisting of multiple items.
b - Part with independent titleThe record is for a resource which is part of a set and has a title that allows it
to be independent of the set record.
c - Part with dependent title
The record is for a resource which is part of a set but has a title that makes it
dependent on the set record to understand its context.