Is the MARC Bibliographic format designed to allow the encoding of material types at a level sufficient for querying, reporting, and data manipulation - i.e., at a level functionally equivalent to the proprietary schemes already provided for by ILSs?  For example, DRA (Sirsi) Classic includes a material type field (within the proprietary item record) which has allowed/required our library to create codes for all 70 or so specific material types represented in our collection.  As we prepare to migrate to a new ILS, it seems that we ought to be able to follow a standard approach to encoding this kind of data.  MARC Bibliographic data elements such as LDR-06, 008, etc. look like a satisfactory enough alternative.  Can anyone tell me whether I am on the right track or not?  If not, why not?

Thanks!
Tim
_____________________________

Timothy M. Faile
Acquisitions & Serials Librarian
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

James P. Boyce Centennial Library
2825 Lexington Rd.
Louisville, KY 40280-0294

502-897-4598 (ph)
502-897-4600 (fax)
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