004 Coded Dates Fixed Field (NR) (Variable Control Fields)
Field Definition and Scope:
This field contains 32 character positions (00-31) that provide coded date information. These dates are potentially useful for retrieval and data management purposes. If non of the four types of dates is applicable to the record in hand, the field is not used.
The data elements are positionally defined. All defined character positions must contain either coded date information or a fill character ( | ) . The fill character may be used in a particular character position when the creator of the record has decided not to attempt to supply coded date information.
Guidelines For Applying Content Designators:
00-07 Action date
08-15 Purge date
16-23 Beginning date of event or program
24-31 Ending date of event or program
Input Conventions:
Each date is recorded according to Representation for Calendar Date and Ordinal Date for Information Interchange (ANSI X3.30). The date requires 8 numeric characters in the pattern yyyymmdd (4 for the year, 2 for the month, and 2 for the day).
When part of a date is unknown, missing digits are represented by the character u. When the date is applicable but is totally unknown, eight u's are recorded. When the date is not applicable to the record, eight blanks are recorded. If the institution creating the record makes no attempt to code a date, eight fill characters are recorded.
Related USMARC Field or Document:
Representation for Calendar Date and Ordinal Date for Information Interchange (ANSI X3.30)
See also:
