Responsible Parties Rule (Introduction)

The USMARC Format for Classification Data serves as a vehicle for classification authority data of all types from any organization. The organizations responsible for the content, content designation , and transcription of data within a record are identified in field 040 (Record Source) . This responsibility may be evaluated in terms of the following responsible parties rule.

In unmodified records, the organization identified as the original classification agency in 040 subfield $a is responsible for the content of the record. The organization identified as the transcribing agency in field 040 subfield $c is responsible for the content designation and transcription of the data.

In modified records, organizations identified in 040 subfields $a and $d (Modifying agency) are collectively responsible for the content fo the record. Organizations identified as transcribing or modifying agencies in field 040 subfields $c and $d are collectively responsible for the content designation and transcription of the data.

Certain data elements are defined in relation to the authoritative agency that maintains the list or rules upon which the data is based (e.g., field 750 Index Term - Topical). An organization using an authoritative-agency data element must use the authoritative list or rules specified for the data element. These lists or rules are specifically identified in the data element descriptions. The responsibility for the content of the data element belongs to the organization identified in subfields $a and $d of field 040.

Other data elements are defined in the format as being exclusively assigned by a single agency (e.g., field 010 Library of Congress Control Number). The content of agency-assigned data elements is always the responsibility of the agency. The content designation and transcription of the data may be the responsibility of another organization identified in subfield $c of field 040.

See also:

Introduction to USMARC Format for Classification Data