Character position definition and scope:

A one-character code that indicates the creator of an authority record.  If the cataloging source is known, it is identified in subfield $a of field 040 (Cataloging Source).  The parties responsible for the MARC authority record are determined by the code in 008/39 and the MARC code(s) or name(s) in field 040.  The fill character ( | ) is used when no attempt has been made to code this 008 position.

National Level Requirement for character position 008/39:  Mandatory; for codes below:  Mandatory if applicable.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

Code:

Description:

#

National bibliographic agency

c

Cooperative cataloging program

d

Other

u

Unknown

|

No attempt to code

Content designator history:

# - National Library of Canada [CAN/MARC only]  Library of Congress [USMARC only]  [redefined, 1997]

a - National Agricultural Library  [obsolete, 1997]

b - National Library of Medicine  [obsolete, 1997]

h - Hennepin County Library  [obsolete, 1997]  [CAN/MARC only]

l - Library of Congress  [obsolete, 1997]  [CAN/MARC only]

s - Agency responsible for Sears List of Subject Headings  [obsolete, 1997]  [CAN/MARC only]

v - Université Laval  [obsolete, 1997]  [CAN/MARC only]

In 1997, code # (blank) was renamed National bibliographic agency.  By its new definition, code # came to include codes a and b, and therefore, codes a and b became obsolete.

In 1997, code c (Library of Congress cooperative cataloging program) was renamed Cooperative cataloging program.

LC Guidelines:

 008/39  Cataloging source

DCM Z1 Instructions:

 008/39  Cataloging source

Related MARC field or document:

040  Cataloging Source

For information on other 008 character positions, see:

008  Fixed-Length Data Elements

See also:

Variable Control Fields