Field definition and scope:

Field 008 contains 15 character positions (00-14) that provide coded information about the record as a whole or about special community information aspects of the item being recorded.  These coded data elements are potentially useful for retrieval and data management purposes.

The data elements are positionally defined. All defined character positions must contain either a defined code or a fill character ( | ).  A fill character may be used in a particular character position when the creator of the record has decided not to attempt to supply a defined code.  Code n (Not applicable), when it is defined for a data element, indicates that the character position definition does not apply to the record.

Field 008 is NOT repeatable.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

Field 008 has no indicators or subfield codes.  The data elements are positionally defined.

The table below includes all 15 character positions of field 008.  Positions are conventionally numbered zero (0) through 14.  For information on a specific character position and its codes, select:

Position

Description

Repeatability

008/00-14

Fixed-Length Data Elements

NR

Data elements:

 

 

00-05

Date entered on file

NR

06

Volunteer opportunities

NR

07

Volunteers provided

NR

08

Child care arrangements

NR

09

Speakers bureau

NR

10

Mutual support groups

NR

11

Meeting rooms and facilities available

NR

12-14

Language

NR

Input conventions:

System-generated data element:  008/00-05 (Date entered on file) is usually system generated.  System generation of other 008 data elements depends upon the capabilities of an individual system.

Capitalization:  Alphabetic codes are input in lowercase.

See also:

Variable Control Fields