External Resources for Cataloging Libraries

Authority records

• MARC 21 Format for Authority Data: Access descriptions of the data elements found in Authority Records and what they mean
• Search Authorities: Browse and view authority headings, including for subjects, genres, and names of persons, organizations, and meetings/conferences
• Library of Congress Genre/Form Terms: Narrow down your authority search to Genre/Form terms
• Library of Congress Genre/Form Temrs PDF files: PDF versions of authorized LCGFT terms and use manual
• Subject Heading and Term Source Codes: List of other subject heading lists, thesauri, and databases beyond Library of Congress

Codes and vocabularies

• Source Codes for Vocabularies, Rules, and Schemes: Links to controlled vocabularies and provides and context on how to utilize them
• MARC Code List for Relators: List of relator terms and associated codes to define the relationship between an agent and a resource in bibliographic records
• Term and Code List for RDA Content Types: RDA terms and corresponding three-character codes for RDA Content types used in the 336 and Leader 06 fields
• Term and Code List for RDA Media Types: RDA terms and corresponding one-character codes for RDA Media types in 337 and 007/00 fields
• Term and Code List for RDA Carrier Types: RDA terms and corresponding two-character code for RDA Carrier types in 338 and 007/01 fields
• MARC Code List for Geographic Areas: RDA codes for geographic areas for use in 043 field
• MARC Code List for Languages: Codes to be used in the language fixed field and 041 field

MARC and Fixed Fields information

• Fixed Field: Explains the 008 character positions for fixed fields, shows format-specific fields, and links to various pages containing more in-depth information for each individual fixed field
• OCLC has landing pages for each 100 block of MARC fields with links to more information on each specific field, including the descriptions of indicators, subfields, and examples of their use:
  • 0xx Fields
  • 1xx Fields
  • 2xx Fields
  • 3xx Fields
  • 4xx Fields
  • 5xx Fields
  • 6xx Fields
  • 7xx Fields
  • 8xx Fields
  • 9xx Fields
• For SWAN local practices within MARC fields, please do not forget to cross-reference OCLC with their corresponding documentation in Full Cataloging Standards 
• End Punctuation for Variable MARC Fields: Notes on whether MARC tags should end with punctuation or not

Non-English and format specific resources

• ALA-LC Romanization Tables: References for creating romanized content for bibliographic records representing materials in non-roman scripts
• Arabic Cataloging Manual: Comprehensive collection of documents, files, and links that address common issues in cataloging Arabic materials assembled by the Middle East Librarians Association (MELA) Committee on Cataloging
• Digital Media Storage Devices: Best practices manual prepared by the Online Audiovisual Catalogers Inc. Cataloging Policy Committee and the Association Cataloging and Metadata Committee
• Omniglot: An online encyclopedia of writing systems and languages - useful in identifying what language an item is in

Staying up-to-date

• Frequently Asked Questions on Official RDA Implementation: The PCC RDA Implementation Task Group is developing recommendations for PCC's implementation of the official RDA Toolkit. This page will be updated as recommendations are approved
• MARC Standards: General information and news and updates to MARC standards
• OCLC Systems Status: Lists services availability and provides the ability to report issues you may be experiencing that are not reflected