BACKGROUND:  This instruction provides examples to be used as models for content designation when inputting Library of Congress call numbers.  This is not an exhaustive list of examples.  For further instructions, consult the MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data .

1.   050 00 Library of Congress Call Number

The field has two indicator positions:  the first contains a value that indicates whether or not LC holds the item under this call number; the second contains a value indicating the source assigning the call number.  The call number itself has two parts, the classification number and the item number.  Alternate classification numbers may be supplied in LC original cataloging.

$a Classification number

$b Item number

$a Alternate classification number

050 00  Assigned by LC.  Since about mid-1999 second position value "0" (Assigned by LC) has been used in all instances of records issued by LC containing a Library of Congress call number.

050 04  Assigned by an agency other than LC.  Prior to about mid-1999 second position value "4" (Assigned by an agency other than LC) was retained in certain instances in records.

a)  created by participants in the National Cooperative Cataloging Program (NCCP) (042 = lcnccp) and subsequently used by LC

b)  created by participants in the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) (042 - pcc) and subsequently used by LC

c)  reflecting copy cataloging (042 = lccopycat)

050 10  First indicator position value "1" indicates the Item is not in LC or is not in LC under this number

2.   051 Library of Congress Copy, Issue, Offprint Statement

$a Classification number

$b Item number

$c Copy information

Examples:

051  $a Z663.78 $b .S63 1992 $c Copy 3

051  $a 663 $b .F85 1991 $c Copy 2

3.  Placement of the delimiter indicating subfield $b

a.  Words.  When the call number field consists only of a class number (a word; letters followed by numbers, possibly including a period and also a space) no subfield $b is used.

Example:

050  00  $a LAW

b.  Cutter numbers.  The delimiter for the item numbers ($b) precedes the last capital letter except when the last capital letter is preceded by a period, in which case the $b precedes the period.

Examples:

Single Cutters:

050  00  $a TX536 $b .H2 1986

050  00  $a PN3329 $b .H74 1971

Double Cutters:

050  00  $a TC506.H3 $b L7 1986

4.  CS71

If the call number begins with CS71, subfield $b contains the date.

Example:

050  00  $a CS71.B118 $b 1974

5.  No Cutter number

If the class number is followed by a date but no Cutter number, the date is in subfield $b.

Example:

050  00  $a JX1989.5 $b 1944 IXb

6.  Volume numbering

If the call number is followed by volume numbering that includes uppercase letters, these letters are ignored in locating the last capital letter.

Example:

050  00  $a DD3 $b .M83 Bd. 30

7.  Alternate numbers

Alternate numbers appear in a second $a subfield.

Examples:

050  00  $a DS136.6. $b H38 1986 $a D106

050  00  $a Z5815.B5 $b P53 1985 $a LA551

050  00  $a Z8061 $b .K38 1986 $a Z8651 $a D803

[two alternate call numbers]

050  00  $a DD3 $b .M83 Bd. 30, etc. $a Z723

To return:

General