[Cross posted]

The more I think of Jeffrey's idea of Super MARC, having four digit
field tags, three indicators, and two letter subfield codes, the
better I like it.

It would allow multiple fields for the present 006, 007, and 008, so
that the same byte in the same filed need not have different meanings
for different genre.  There could be fields for each genre.

It would continue a tested language neutral way of coding
bibliographic data familiar to cataloguers and ILS vendors, to which
cross walk from legacy records would be simple.

It would allow moving media terms up to ISBD Area 0, for the benefit
of those who can only or wish to display if field tag order.

It would allow 0246 or 2460 (as the case may be) to have a filing
indicator, and more display constant indicators, e.g., Translation
of:, At head of title:, etc., as opposed to 7XX$i which our clients
dislike.

It would allow one extended 0260 or 2600 imprint field, rather than
the second one being proposed.

Since a crosswalk would be required, the present nonsensical ordering
of 5XX could be cleaned up.  Present 538 should be first note.  
Present fields 506 and 540 should be next to each other.  We could
have a note for bibliographic history including original release date
of motion pictures (replacing 503).  We could have a field for DVD
special features (or extend 501).  I could go on.

Having three indicators would allow more codes for subject sources,
escaping the $2 for LCGFT, simplifying automated subject heading
selection.

The dual use of 740, for analytics and related works, could be
separated.


   __       __   J. McRee (Mac) Elrod ([log in to unmask])
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