Character position definition and scope:

A one-character alphabetic code that indicates the type of series contained in the 1XX heading field in an established heading record.  The record may also contain series treatment information in fields 640-646.  The codes distinguish between headings for monographic series and multipart items that are cataloged as a set and identify other headings that may be considered appropriate for use as a series added entry in bibliographic records, regardless of whether the series is actually traced.  The fill character ( | ) is used when no attempt has been made to code this 008 position.

National Level Requirement for character position 008/12:  Mandatory; for codes below:  Mandatory if applicable.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

Code:

Description:

a

Monographic series

b

Multipart item

c

Series-like phrase

n

Not applicable

z

Other

|

No attempt to code

LC Guidelines:

 008/12  Types of series

Related MARC fields or documents:

008/16  Heading use - Series added entry

640-646  Series Treatment

For information on other 008 character positions, see:

008  Fixed-Length Data Elements

See also:

Variable Control Fields