Holdings Data Format: Introduction

The MARC 21 Format for Holdings Data: Including Guidelines for Content Designation, defines the codes and conventions (tags, indicators, subfield codes, and coded values) that identify the data elements in MARC holdings reports for serial and nonserial items. The content of most of the data elements and their display may be determined by the ANSI standard for holdings statements, Holdings Statements for Bibliographic Items (ANSI/NISO Z39.71) (formerly Serial Holdings Statements (ANSI Z39.44)) or Holdings Statements for Non-Serial Items (ANSI/NISO Z39.57). The corresponding international standard (only for summary level holdings) is Holdings Statements--Summary Level (ISO 10324). Other MARC 21 Holdings content designators allow the potential of using the format to interface with such automated control systems as union catalog, serials check-in, and interlibrary loan systems. A comparison of the data elements in the ANSI and ISO standards and the content designators defined in the MARC 21 Format for Holdings Data is in Appendix D.

The MARC 21 Format for Holdings Data is intended for the use of personnel involved in the creation and maintenance of MARC holdings information, as well as those involved in the design and maintenance of systems for the communication and processing of MARC holdings information. A glossary of terms used by the Z39 holdings statement standards and in MARC 21 Holdings is in Appendix E.

Note: For information that is common to all five of the MARC formats, see: MARC 21 Formats.

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General Information

Elements of a MARC Record