655 Index Term - Genre/Form (R) (Variable Data Field)
Field 655 contains terms indicating the genre, form, and/or physical characteristics of the materials being described.
Genre terms for textual
materials designate
specific kinds of materials distinguished by the style or technique of
their intellectual contents; for example, biographies, catechisms, essays,
hymns, or reviews.
Form and physical characteristic terms designate historically
and functionally specific kinds of materials
as distinguished by an examination of their physical character, subject
of their intellectual content, or the order of information within them;
for example, daybooks, diaries, directories, journals, memoranda, questionnaires,
syllabi, or time sheets.
In the context of graphic
materials, genre
headings denote categories of material distinguished by vantage point,
intended purpose, characteristics of the creator, publication status, or
method of representation.
The field may contain terms constructed from a faceted vocabulary. For each term found in the field, an identification is given as to the facet/hierarchy in the thesaurus from which the term came. In addition, identification is given as to which term is the focus term of the expression.
Standard published lists are used for the genre and form terms and the list is identified in subfield $2 (Source of term) .
The National level record requirement for this field is Optional.
Field 655 is repeatable .
Guidelines for applying content designators:
For indicator and subfield code definitions and examples, National-level (NLR) and Minimal-level (MLR) record requirements , and designator repeatability , see table below:
| Position | Description |
NLR |
MLR |
Repeatability |
| Field 655 | Index Term - Genre/Form |
O |
O |
R |
| Indicator: | ||||
| First | Type of heading |
M |
||
| # | Basic |
A |
||
| 0 | Faceted |
A |
||
| Second | Source of term |
M |
||
| 7 | Source specified in subfield $2 |
A |
||
| Subfield code: | ||||
| $a | Genre/form data or focus term |
M |
O |
NR |
| $b | Non-focus term |
M |
O |
R |
| $c | Facet/hierarchy designation |
M |
O |
R |
| $v | Form subdivision |
A |
O |
R |
| $x | General subdivision |
A |
O |
R |
| $y | Chronological subdivision |
A |
O |
R |
| $z | Geographic subdivision |
A |
O |
R |
| $2 | Source of term |
M |
O |
NR |
| $3 | Materials specified |
O |
O |
NR |
| $5 | Institution to which field applies |
A |
O |
NR |
| $6 | Linkage |
A |
O |
NR |
| $8 | Field link and sequence number |
O |
O |
R |
First indicator - Type of heading [new,
1993]
In 1993, the first indicator was defined. Records created prior to this change may contain a # (blank) meaning undefined.
Until field 755 (Added Entry - Physical Characteristics)
was made obsolete in 1995, physical
characteristics were recorded in field 755 instead of field 655.
Related MARC fields or documents:
880 Alternate Graphic Representation
MARC Code List for Organizations
MARC Code List for Relators, Sources, Description Conventions
See also:
