042  Authentication Code (NR)  (Variable Data Fields)

Codes

First and Second indicators:

#  Undefined

Subfield:

a  Authentication code (R)

NOTE:  See MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data (042 Authentication Code) for code definitions not given below.

Description/Instructions

Field 042 contains one or more codes that represent different levels of authentication of CONSER records.  Codes "lc", "nlc", "nsdp", and "isds/c" represent specific agencies or Centers of Responsibility.  Codes "pcc", "msc", and "lccopycat" reflect the status of name headings in the record.  Codes "lc" and "lcd" were superseded by the code "pcc" May 1, 2009 but remain valid in existing records.

The presence of any of the above codes signifies that the record has been reviewed by a CONSER member and/or Center of Responsibility as to data content, content designation, and conformity with standards and practices agreed upon by CONSER members.  Codes are input in the order in which the authentication activity occurs, except that "x" codes are always input last.

Beginning May 1, 2009 all CONSER institutions use the authentication code "pcc" in place of codes "lcd" and "lc" in records newly authenticated and distributed as part of the CONSER Program.  The code is used in records for both serials and integrating resources.  This implementation follows up on a recommendation made in the 2006 report of the PCC Working Group on Authentication Codes and Encoding Levels for Serials and Integrating Resources and as decided at the CONSER Operations meeting in May 2008.

Catalogers do not need to change authentication codes "lcd" and "lc" on existing records to "pcc."  Codes "lcd" and "lc" remain valid in pre-existing records and will not be systematically changed to "pcc" at this time.  Other authentication codes remain valid and some may be used in combination with code "pcc," when appropriate.

Code definitions

dc

Beginning in July 2000, records created according to the Dublin core metadata standard on the CORC database enter WorldCat identified as encoding level "3" and with code "dc" in field 042.  CONSER members should change both the encoding level and the 042 code to the appropriate codes when authenticating the record.  Do not retain code "dc" in the record.

dlr

Code "dlr" identifies records that follow the Registry of Digital Masters Record Creation Guidelines.  Code "dlr" may appear in combination with other authentication codes, including "pcc" and should not be deleted from CONSER records.

lc

Code "lc" signifies that descriptive elements and headings were verified by the Library of Congress.  Between Oct. 2004 and Apr. 2009, LC used code "lc" to authenticate original records only.  Beginning May 1, 2009 LC uses the authentication code "pcc" (see below) in place of code "lc" in records newly authenticated and distributed as part of the CONSER Program.  Code "lc" remains valid in pre-existing records.

lcac

Code "lcac" signifies that the cataloging record was done as part of the Library of Congress Children's and Young Adults' Cataloging Program (formerly called the Library of Congress Annotated Card Program) whereby summaries and children's subject headings are added to facilitate discovery of a resource by a juvenile audience.

nlc

Code "nlc" signifies that descriptive elements and headings are verified by the Library and Archives Canada.  LAC authenticates records for Canadian imprints and records of Canadian interest.

nsdp

Code "nsdp" signifies that the ISSN-related data elements are verified by ISSN catalogers at the Library of Congress in the ISSN Publisher Liaison Section (ISSN PL) and other cataloging sections.  ISSN PL authenticates ISSN-related data elements for U.S. imprints.  ISSN PL also authenticates ISSNs and key titles for records received from other ISSN centers with the exception of Canadian imprints authenticated by ISSN Canada.

isds/c

Code "isds/c" signifies that the ISSN-related data elements are verified by ISSN Canada.  ISSN Canada authenticates ISSN-related data elements for Canadian imprints.

lcd

Code "lcd" signifies that descriptive elements have been verified by NSDP, ISSN PL, or other CONSER members and that all name and series headings appear in the Library of Congress/NACO Authority File (LC/NAF).  Older records may also have been verified by NST and the CONSER Minimal Level Cataloging Section at LC.  Code "lcd" was also used when all descriptive elements were verified and there were no headings appropriate to the record.  (See also no. 4 and no. 5 under Updating authenticated records below.)  Beginning May 1, 2009 LC and CONSER catalogers use the authentication code "pcc" in place of code "lcd" in records newly authenticated and distributed as part of the CONSER Program.  Code "lcd" remains valid in pre-existing records.

msc

Code "msc" signifies that descriptive elements are verified by LC or a CONSER member, including U.S. Newspaper Program participants.  All headings have been checked against the LC/NAF, but an authority record was not found for one or more headings.  Code "msc" is used by LC in all prepub records because headings are not checked in these records.

lccopycat

The "lccopycat" code signifies that the Library of Congress has used a non-CONSER organization's record as the basis for its cataloging; additionally, all name and LCSH subject headings are checked against the relevant authority files.  The presence of this code also indicates that these externally provided cataloging records are accepted with minimal change, if any, and that because of this, the record may not reflect LC documentation and practice.  (See also no. 1.e., and no. 5 below.)

pcc

Code "pcc" indicates a Program record where the description meets PCC standards and authority records exist for all headings.

In a CONSER standard record, code "pcc" signifies that the CONSER descriptive elements have been verified by an authenticating CONSER participant.  Name and series headings have been checked against the LC/NAF and authority records have been created if they did not already exist.  Subject headings are checked for authorized forms or combinations supported by the relevant authority.

premarc

Code "premarc" signifies that the record was converted to machine-readable form as part of Library of Congress retrospective conversion.  The source records used are printed catalog cards taken from the LC general shelflist and other manual LC files, or OCLC records that have been amalgamated with data from LC manual files.  The bibliographic description has not necessarily been verified or reverified by LC, but the authoritativeness of the headings is indicated by the additional presence of code "pcc," "lcd" or "msc."

x...

Codes that begin with the letter "x" are used by centers of responsibility to indicate that the agency did not consider the publication a serial at the time the publication was evaluated for authentication.  LC adds code "xlc" to an OCLC serial record when an LC serial cataloger determines that the title is a monograph or integrating resource according to the definition of a serial and LCRI 1.0.  To help make this determination, LC considers all information in the online database and other sources.  Code "xlc" is not added to serial records for monographic series if LC classifies the monographic series separately.  If LC's classification decision changes, LC will authenticate the record.

One Center of Responsibility may consider the item to be a serial, while another may not.  Consequently, a mix of authentication/rejection codes can be recorded.  When this is the case, the "x…" code should be the last code.

042 ## nsdp $a xlc

In some cases, especially with conference publications, a CONSER member may wish to authenticate a serial record on which LC has added "xlc" to the 042.

042 ## pcc $a xlc

nst

Records authenticated by LC's New Serial Titles Section from 1981 through 1984 were coded "nst."  From 1985 through March 1993 (when the NST Section was abolished) NST cataloging editors used "lcd" and "msc."  However, because NST did not verify the descriptive elements of records contributed by NST reporting libraries, the descriptive elements in these records ("NST" in field 040 $c or 042 nst) are only as accurate as reported by the NST reporting libraries.

CONSER member authentication

CONSER members authenticate the records they create or modify.  These records may or may not receive further review by a Center of Responsibility.  The presence of a valid authentication code in field 042 triggers the output of the record by OCLC to LC and the subsequent distribution of the record by the MARC Distribution Service--Serials.  (See C1. for further explanation.)

Updating authenticated records

1.   Records with codes "pcc", "lcd" (authenticated before May 1, 2009), "nsdp", "msc", "nst", "premarc", or "lccopycat" may be updated using the institution's regular CONSER log-on authorization.  Apply the following guidelines for updating field 042:

a.   Always leave code "nsdp" in the record.  Add an additional code, as appropriate.

b.   CONSER catalogers may change code "msc" to "pcc" when providing authoritative headings.

c.   Code "nst" should be removed and replaced with code "pcc" or "msc", as appropriate.

d.   Code "premarc" should be retained in the record.  It is usually accompanied by code "msc", "lcd", or "pcc".  CONSER participants are free to upgrade or maintain these records as necessary but should not remove the "premarc" code.

e.   Records with code "lccopycat" may be upgraded to "pcc" by CONSER catalogers when verifying description according to CONSER standards.  In this case the cataloger should replace code "lccopycat" with "pcc."

2.   There are some restrictions on changing descriptive cataloging in records authenticated by the Library of Congress; consult C3.

3.   There are some restrictions on changing descriptive cataloging in records with code "nlc"; consult C12.

4.   Prior to fall 1989, records authenticated by CONSER members (including NSDP, NST, and the CONSER Minimal Level Cataloging Section at LC) that contained no headings were coded "msc".  CONSER (including LC) catalogers subsequently using these records should change the 042 code to "pcc".

5.   Beginning Oct. 2004, LC stopped changing authentication code "lcd" to "lc" on existing CONSER records.  Non-CONSER records are authenticated with code "lccopycat" (authority records are required for authentication at "lccopycat").  Beginning May 1, 2009, LC uses the authentication code "pcc" in place of code "lc" in records newly authenticated and distributed as part of the CONSER Program.  Code "lc" will remain valid in pre-existing records.

Multiple authentication codes

1.   When a record is authenticated by more than one authenticating agency (e.g., the Library and Archives Canada for the cataloging data and ISSN Canada for the ISSN-related elements), the subfield is repeated.

042 ## nlc $a isds/c

042 ## nsdp $a pcc

042 ## nsdp $a xlc

042 ## pcc $a nsdp

2.   When a serial authenticated by either ISSN/Canada or ISSN PL moves its place of publication from Canada to the U.S., or vice versa, responsibility for ISSN-related data elements is assumed by the Center of Responsibility in the new country of publication.  The authentication code for the current authenticating agency is added to field 042.  The ISSN center code in 022 $2 is also changed to reflect the current center of responsibility.

042 ## nlc $a isds/c $a nsdp

022 ## $2 changed from 4 to 1

3.   Code "dlr" should be retained in the record.  Add an additional authentication code, as appropriate.

042 ## dlr $a pcc

042 ## dlr $a nsdp

Some records with code "dlr" were generated by the OCLC eContent synchronization program and represent duplicates.  These records can be edited and authenticated or reported as duplicates like any other e-serial records.

CONSER Use of 042 Codes in Serial Records
"Cheat Sheet" As of May 1, 2009

042 Codes That Existed Before May 1, 2009

All 042 authentication codes that were valid before May 1, 2009, including "lcd," continue to be valid.  All may continue to be present in CONSER serial records.  All enable CONSER distribution of records.  When present, all have the same meanings as before.

Previously Authenticated CONSER Serial Records

Generally, there is no need to change 042 code "lcd" in a previously authenticated CONSER serial record to "pcc" when you use the record in copy cataloging or modify the record for some other reason.

CONSER catalogers may change 042 code "msc" in a previously authenticated CONSER serial record to "pcc" if all headings in the record now have authority control or if the record includes no headings that need authority control.  They may change code "lccopycat" to "pcc" when verifying description according to CONSER standards.

Related fields, etc.

A5, C1, C2, C3, C7

042 Authentication Code  (MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data)

See also:

01X-09X  Numbers and Codes

Variable Data Fields

Section E.  MARC 21 Format for Serials as Applied Within CONSER

CONSER Editing Guide:  Contents