Field 008 Fixed-Length Data Elements – authority format
| Character | Description | CBS MARC tag |
PICA+ tag |
Import, online cataloguing and MARC 21 export |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M08A | 014A | |||
| 00-05 | Date entered on file | $a | $a |
Date entered on file is – under certain conditions – converted to tag 0252 / 002W - Date of creation in original database of main level data -.
The date is not added.
The date of CBS tag 0200 / 001A is taken. When there is no CBS tag 0200 / 001A, six zeros are generated.
The date of CBS tag 0200 / 001A is taken. When there is no CBS tag 0200 / 001A six zeros are generated. |
| 06 | Direct or indirect geographic subdivision | $b | $b |
The value must be one of the officially allowed codes.
The value can be added or updated.
|
| 07 | Romanization scheme | $c | $c | |
| 08 | Language of catalog | $d | $d | |
| 09 | Kind of record | $e | $e | |
| 10 | Descriptive cataloging rules | $f | $f | |
| 11 | Subject heading system/thesaurus | $g | $g | |
| 12 | Type of series | $h | $h | |
| 13 | Numbered or unnumbered series | $i | $i | |
| 14 | Heading use – main or added entry | $j | $j | |
| 15 | Heading use – subject added entry | $k | $k | |
| 16 | Heading use – series added entry | $l | $l | |
| 17 | Type of subject subdivision | $m | $m | |
| 18-27 | Undefined character positions | $n-$w | $n-$w |
When the value is present, it is ignored.
The value can be added or updated.
|
| 28 | Type of government agency | $x | $x |
The value must be one of the officially allowed codes.
The value can be added or updated.
|
| 29 | Reference evaluation | $y | $y | |
| 30 | Undefined character position | $z | $z |
When the value is present, it is ignored.
The value can be added or updated.
|
| 31 | Record update in process | $A | $A |
The value can be added or updated.
|
| 32 | Undifferentiated personal name | $B | $B |
The value can be added or updated.
|
| 33 | Level of establishment | $C | $C |
The value must be one of the officially allowed codes.
The value can be added or updated.
|
| 34-37 | Undefined character positions | $D-$G | $D-$G |
When the value is present, it is ignored.
The value can be added or updated.
|
| 38 | Modified record | $H | $H |
The value must be one of the officially allowed codes.
The value can be added or updated.
|
| 39 | Cataloging source | $I | $I |
The value must be one of the officially allowed codes.
The value can be added or updated.
|
MARC field 008 - Fixed-Length Data Elements - blanks (hashes) "with a meaning"
Blanks (hashes) have a “meaning” in MARC field 008 - Fixed-Length Data Elements - on main/master level often. So, a blank (hash) doesn't always mean "undefined", "unknown", or "unspecified".
The following table gives an overview on the blanks (hashes) “with a meaning”. This is very important to be aware of when data is imported, exported, or converted.
Especially when data is delivered by a library which has no "MARC 21 background" as far it applies the format of the records, and the format of that library has no fields like Leader or coded data like field 008, then the delivered fields like 008 have been generated automatically probably without checking the values with the "items in hand". This implies that the blanks (hashes) "with a meaning" mean in fact "No attempt to code". Then, the decision can be taken - in cooperation with the library - to remove those blanks (hashes) from the records.
| Position tag 008 | Explanation of position | Explanation of blank / hash |
|---|---|---|
| 06 | Direct or indirect geographic subdivision | Not subdivided geographically |
| 28 | Type of government agency | Not a government agency |
| 38 | Modified record | Not modified |
| 39 | Cataloging source | National bibliographic agency |