For those interested in the mainagencycode question, all the people who
responded to me are using the MARC/LoC code but there is still no
"official" answer.  I checked the Danish National  Library site and the
LoC is listed as pending certification as the designated agency for
issuing ISIL codes for US libraries; when/if that happens I think it
will remove any doubt for purposes of EAD.

However, OCLC being its own entity with control over its own database,
they will no doubt continue to require use of the OCLC code for their
records.  This means that when we follow a path of EAD to local
catalog/MARC to WorldCat/OCLC we will have to change that code
(mainagencycode maps to the 040 and/or 049 fields; locally we can use
the MARC code but OCLC won't allow it either place).  It's not a big
deal, just an additional step in the process, but I'm curious: is anyone
else attempting this same EAD to MARC to OCLC path and thus running into
this same issue?  Or are most places not putting their manuscript
collection records into OCLC?

Michele C.

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Michele R. Combs
[log in to unmask] 
Manuscripts Processor
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Library
222 Waverly Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244
(315) 443-2697
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