Character position definition and scope:

A one-character alphabetic code that indicates whether the heading in the 1XX field and its associated reference structure (that is, the headings in the 1XX, 260, 360, 4XX, 5XX, 663, and 664 fields) are valid according to the rules used in establishing headings for English-language catalogs, French-language catalogs, or both.  The fill character ( | ) is used when no attempt has been made to code this 008 position.

National Level Requirement for character position 008/08 and the codes below is Optional.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

Code:

Description:

#

No information provided

b

English and French

e

English only

f

French only

|

No attempt to code

Content designator history:

008/08  Language of catalog  [new, 1997]  [USMARC only]

008/08  Bilingual usage  [redefined, 1997]  [CAN/MARC only]

g - Headings valid in English-language catalogues; validity in French-language catalogues undetermined  [obsolete, 1997]  [CAN/MARC only]

h - Headings valid in French-language catalogues; validity in English-language catalogues undetermined  [obsolete, 1997]  [CAN/MARC only]

LC Guidelines:

 008/08  Language of catalog

For information on other 008 character positions, see:

008  Fixed-Length Data Elements

See also:

Variable Control Fields