At the Subcommittee on MARC Formats' open meeting, Subcommittee members reviewed proposals and discussion papers related to music cataloging that were presented to MARBI and discussed at ALA in the past year. Two discussions were of particular interest. One was on the use of linking subfields– a subfield that would improve precision in retrieval of sound recording bibliographic records in online systems. The subfield was approved in general by MARBI but a field link type code for music materials must be specifically approved before this technique can be used. The second paper of major importance for the music community was on the form of musical composition codes in bibliographic records (008/18-19 and 047). Comments were solicited from those attending the open meeting and will be used by the Subcommittee as they formulate a response for the MARC Standards Office at the Library of Congress.

Issues of format integration were a topic of great interest at the open meeting. Many questions were fielded on the most recently implemented phase–many demonstrating that we are all learning how to apply the newly available fields. Kathy Glennan concluded the meeting with a presentation on the final phase of format integration which is scheduled to occur after December 31, 1995. Given the anticipated timing of that implementation, it is likely that the Subcommittee will be answering many questions on that phase at the Seattle meeting.

Karen Little

Chair, Subcommittee on MARC Formats

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Last updated February 10, 2000