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MARC Tags - Help

BriefSubjects/ContentFullMARC Tags

The MARC Tags display provides the fullest possible view of the catalog record for all materials in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Consult the Full Record display for the most complete labeled display of bibliographic information. To focus on subject headings, and any information summarizing and/or classifying the content of the work, consult the Subjects/Content display. View the Brief Record display for the most basic information about the work. All record displays include the call number by which materials must be requested. Some information displays as a hypertext link (in blue and underlined). Selecting a link launches a search for related records.

The MARC Tags display includes the full bibliographic information, including the "fixed field" or fixed-length data elements and locally defined fields, with the field tags and content designation specified by the MARC 21 format, a communication standard that enables exchange of bibliographic, holdings, and other data among electronic systems. The leader is displayed; the directory is not displayed.

Search, Navigation and Output - Bibliographic Information - Library Holdings, Location and Status

SEARCH, NAVIGATION, and OUTPUT INFORMATION:

Several lines of information relating to the search are displayed below the button bar, and above and below the MARC Tags display on the screen:

  • Database Name:
    Most catalog records display the name “Library of Congress Online Catalog.” Other databases can be searched, as they become available, by selecting the [ Databases ] button from the top button bar. Such databases may include the Handbook of Latin American Studies and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

  • You Searched:
    A description of the search is displayed after this label (e.g., Subject = cats, Command Keyword = (wood? OR forest) AND "resource manage?"). The text before the = is the name of the search method used, and the text after the = is the actual search performed.

  • Search Results:
    A legend identifies the currently displayed catalog record number within the total search set (e.g., Displaying 2 of 35 records, Displaying 1 of 10,000 records).
    • A search in the Online Catalog never results in more than 10,000 catalog records, even when more than 10,000 records match the search. If the results set is truncated at 10,000, a warning message displays in the Titles List and Headings List displays.
    • Subject, Name and Call Number searches are set to "browse" the entire Online Catalog before and after the search term entered. Since this method does not create a distinct record set, the legend on a single record display is Displaying 1 of 1 records.

  • Navigation Icons:
    If a search retrieves multiple catalog records, it is possible to page forward and backward, one record at a time, using the Previous and Next buttons.

  • Full Title:
    Below the four display selection tabs, the title of the work displays as it appears on the title page (or its equivalent).

  • Print, Save or Email:
    Below the display of the catalog record information, a table displays with options for output. For more information consult the help screen for Print, Save, or Email.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: The following information will display if present in the catalog record:
  • Relevance:
    A record retrieved by the Keyword search method displays a relevance indicator before the bibliographic information.

  • LC Control Number:
    A unique record identification number assigned by the Library of Congress. Although works may be searched and identified by this number, they may not be requested by this number. See CALL NUMBER below.

  • MARC Display:
    A coded MARC record is displayed using numerically tagged fields and alphabetically tagged subfields. All the data in the record may be retrieved using a "Keyword Anywhere" search (GKEY in the Command Keyword search method).
    • The MARC fields may include the date and time of latest cataloging transaction (005 field), the control field for special aspects of the material when it has multiple characteristics (006), the physical description fixed field (007), and the fixed-length data elements (008). Field 008 supplies coded information about the record as a whole and about special bibliographical aspects of the material cataloged.
    • Locally defined fields that are not displayed in any other Online Catalog view include the local processing field (906), local selection/retention field (925), local tracking field (955), record source or project history field (985) and preprocessing location/conversion field (991).
    • The fields are displayed in MARC 21 sort order, except that fields 906, 925, and 955 display near the top of the record.
    • A full listing of MARC 21 tags and subfields is available online from the Library of Congress Network Development and MARC Standards Office.

LIBRARY HOLDINGS, LOCATION, and STATUS INFORMATION:
  • CALL NUMBER:
    Includes the call number used to retrieve the material, usually followed by information identifying a specific copy. Selecting the call number, shown as a hypertext link, launches a search for records beginning with the same call number designation--usually those with the same subject classification numbers. Note: Records in the Online Catalog generally indicate that the Library holds one copy of a work, even though additional copies may actually be available in the Library's collections. Library staff will begin entering information about additional copies in the near future.

  • Request in:
    Identifies the reading room or book service area (along with a building name and room number) where the material must be requested.

  • Status:
    Displays circulation information for the material (charged, not charged, etc.). Initially, some circulation information may not be complete, since many materials in the Library (including many special collections materials) are not handled by the circulation system at this time.

  • Special Information about Serials Holdings:
    Additional holdings categories may display, such as, Shelving Title:, Library Holds:, Latest Receipts:, Older Receipts:, etc. Although much of this information is not currently available, the Library will be incorporating more detailed information about serials holdings, indicating which issues are available and where they should be requested.

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Library of Congress
Comments: lcweb@loc.gov (08/20/99)