Dear Colleagues,
The British Library, Collection Management
have sent me (as Convener of the Map Curators' Group) a
questionnaire they are distributing. This is essentially about the
harmonisation of UKMARC format with MARC21 (the former
USMARC).
It is pointed out in the covering letter that,
"...the outcome of this consultation will determine the nature of the
UKMARC format as officially documented and managed by the British
Library, and the format of bibliographic records distributed to users of
BNBMARC data"
A summary of the decisions to be taken is laid out in bullet points as
follows: (apologies that I am unable to insert bullet points in this
email so I have used numbering and ---- instead- apologies in advance
also for any typos)
1----"Continue using UKMARC, adopting unique fields from MARC21
to enhance UKMARC's capabiltities (where they do not conflict with
UKMARC practice). This represents a continuation of existing
policy"
2----"Adopt a partially harmonised format that changes many fields to
MARC21 but retains some unique features of UKMARX, e.g. ISBD-
related subfield encoding and the UKMARC method of treating of
multi-level works. This is the approach recommended by the report
dated October 1999 prepared by the BIC Technical sub-group on
Bibliographic Standards, a copy of which is enclosed.
The UKMARC user community may feel that certain
recommendations, notably those for 240,245,250,640 (music subfields),
740 (music subfields) and 745 (ISSN), militate against its requirement
for ISBD subfielding. The UKMARC u8ser community is asked to
include such consideration in its reponse.
3--------"Adopt the full MARC21 format"
"A secondary decision, applying to both the partially- harmonised
and full MARC21 options, is required on the pace of change:
1---"Adopt all approved changes at once, or adopt the gradually in
stages."
The annual business meeting of the Map Curators' Group is an ideal
opportunity to discuss this matter and hopefully to reach a unanimous
decision.
If in the meantime it might be worth trying to obtain the BIC report to
the BL for yourselves. The full title is as follows:
MARC harmonisation, a report to the British Library from the Book
Industry Communication Bibliographic Standards Technical
Subgroup, October 1999
There is a copy of the questionnaire and the Marc harmonisation
report on the BL web site at
www.bl.uk/services.bsds/nbs/marc-harmony
The closing date for responses is October 31st 2000.
I propose that this is put down as a major item on the agenda for our
business meeting on Friday 8 September so that we can arrive at a
uniform response from the MCG.
If there is anyone who will not be at the business meeting and who
wishes to fill in the form I would be grateful if you could let me know
your reponses to the questionnaire.
Also if there is anyone who wishes to state an opinion for the
business meeting and who will not be there, would they
email
Tinho da Cruz at
[log in to unmask]
and give their opinion
Ann Sutherland
Convener, Map Curators' Group, British Cartographic Society
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