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MARBI proposal 2004-04: Definition of Field 258 (Philatelic Issue Data)
in MARC21 is online at:
<http://www.loc.gov/marc/marbi/2004/2004-04.html>

Perhaps the greatest failure of MARC21 in creating coding for ISBDs is
not assigning a single code for the Material (or Type of Publication)
Specific Area, but rather a different code for each type of material.

Here is yet another proposal for a number between edition (250) and
imprint (260) for a type of resource specific information, in this case
data concerning philatelic material.  The need for this non
transcribed information is clear.  This placement in the material
specific area is certainly in keeping with the letter and spirit of the
ISBD(G) and MARC structure.  The proposed use of subfields
($ajurisdiction, $bdenomination) is well designed.

There is however a finite number of fields between 250 and 260, and
infinite possible types of resources potentially needing that area.

Would this not be the occasion to assign a single code for type of
material information (251, 252, 253 remain unused as well as 258 and
259).  The information to be entered in subfields could be determined by
an LDR value, as are the values for positions in 008.  The field could
be repeating in case of more than one type of material in a single
bibliographic item. Indicators could distinguish among content, carrier,
and constituent part.

Just as 260 and the former 261 have been combined in 260, 254-257
and the proposed 258 could be combined in 255 (251, 252, or 253 if
an unused number is preferred).

   __       __   J. McRee (Mac) Elrod ([log in to unmask])
  {__  |   /     Special Libraries Cataloguing   HTTP://www.slc.bc.ca/
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