Codes

#    Non-ISBD

a    AACR2

i     ISBD  [Not used]

u    Unknown  [Not used]

Description/Instructions

The descriptive cataloging form is a one-character alphabetic code that indicates whether the record was formulated according to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd Edition (AACR2).  The code also indicates whether the record exemplifies the rules of the International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD), as reflected in AACR2.  Subfield $e (Description conventions) of field 040 (Cataloging Source) provides a means of amplifying information on the cataloging rules used.

Code definitions

#  Non-ISBD.

Use this code for all records not cataloged according to the provisions of AACR2.

a  AACR2.

Use for all records cataloged according to the provisions of AACR2, including choice and form of access points and bibliographic description.

i  ISBD.

ISBD (International Standard Bibliographic Description) punctuation was adopted for monographs but not for serials prior to the implementation of AACR2.  Code "i" was used in these monograph records and was also mistakenly added to some serial records.  The addition of ISBD punctuation alone to a non-AACR2 record does not qualify the record as AACR2.  If code "i" is found in a serial record, change it to "#", unless the description has been changed to AACR2.

u  Unknown.

Code "u" is not used in CONSER records, nor is it carried in OCLC records.

Related fields, etc.

040

Leader/18 Descriptive cataloging form  (MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data)

See also:

Leader/006/008

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

CONSER Editing Guide:  Contents