008/28 Government Publication (Variable Control Fields)
Codes:
# Not a government publication
a Autonomous or semi-autonomous component
i International intergovernmental
l Local
o Government publication- -level undetermined
s State, provincial, territorial, dependent, etc.
u Unknown if item is government publication
z Other
Description/Instructions:
The government publication code contains a one-character code representing the jurisdictional level of the body publishing or producing the item.
A government publication is defined as any item published or produced (e.g., audiovisual materials) by a body created or controlled by a national, state, or local government (including state controlled university presses and intergovernmental bodies of all types) or by any subdivision of such a body. Note that under this guideline a government body and all its subdivisions are treated as government bodies regardless of how they may be entered as headings (i.e., under jurisdiction or not). In the bibliographic item being cataloged the body does not have to be a main or added entry, but it should be named as publisher, etc. in the publication, distribution, etc. area or have caused the item to be published. When in doubt, treat the item as a government publication.
The government publication code reflects the current status of the serial. When updating a 550 note to reflect a change in issuing body, change the government publication code if the status of the serial as a government publication has also changed with the new issuing body.
DEFAULT CODE: #
1. University presses:
Treat items published by university presses as government publications if the presses are created or controlled by a government (e.g., state university presses in universities of the United States).
2. Socialist countries:
Since coding of all items published in socialist countries would limit the usefulness of this element, coding should be used only for the same type of bodies that would be considered government in a non-socialist country. In coding items in this manner, when in doubt, treat the item as a government publication.
3. Great Britain:
Use code "f" for items published by the governments of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
4. Uncertainty if a government agency:
Use code "u" (unknown) if one is not sure whether or not the publisher is a government agency.
5. Two levels:
If an item is published or produced jointly by government agencies at two difference levels, code for the higher government level.
6. Academic institutions:
Treat items published by academic institutions as government publications if the institutions are created or controlled by a government.
7. American Indian tribes:
Use code "f" for these publications.
8. A publication is coded for the appropriate government agency level, even when the government agency is given as a second-named publisher in the imprint.
Related fields, etc.
See also:
