NAME: Addition of Subfield $f to Field 154 (General Explanatory Index Term) in the USMARC Classification Format
SOURCE: Library of Congress
SUMMARY: This paper proposes the definition of a subfield $f (Schedule identification) in field 154 to indicate the portion of a classification schedule to which the term applies. The data element is needed for the conversion of the Library of Congress Classification to machine- readable form because it is necessary to identify which schedule the index term pertains to.
KEYWORDS: Subfield $f, in field 154 (Classification); General Explanatory Index Term; Schedule identification
RELATED:
STATUS/COMMENTS:
7/13/95 - Forwarded to USMARC Advisory Group for discussion on the USMARC list.
9/7/95 - Approved electronically.
Some concern was expressed that the data would be used only locally for printing schedules and belongs in a local field. LC responded that separation of schedules by subject areas may be desired online and the information needs to be communicated for that reason. It provides a context for using the particular general index term.
PROPOSAL NO. 95-14: Addition of Subfield $f to Field 154
(General Explanatory Index Term)
1. BACKGROUND
When the USMARC Classification Format was developed, Field 154
was included for a general explanatory index term that did not
refer to a specific classification number, but to a concept. Most
index terms are included in the record for the classification
number to which they refer. In these cases, field 753 (Index
Term -- Uncontrolled) is to direct the user to different locations
within the classification scheme for classifying the topic.
Although field 154 was developed for use by the National
Library of Medicine Classification and the Dewey Decimal
Classification, in which these situations occasionally occur, the
experience with the conversion of LCC has indicated a need for
field 154 in that scheme as well. However, since LCC consists of
some 46 or more schedules, divided generally by discipline, it is
necessary to specify in which schedule or subclass the index term
occurs. Currently there is no data element to serve that function
in the classification record, since in cases where field 154 is
used, there is no field 153 containing a classification number.
The identification is needed in order for the index term to be
displayed in the appropriate schedule.
For instance, the index to the E-F schedule (History: America)
contains the following entry in the index:
Civil wars, see Military history under individual countries
To retain the index term, a record is created as follows:
008/06 c (Type of record: Index term record)
154 $aCivil wars
753 $uMilitary history under individual countries
In an online system with a master database of records from all of
the LCC classification schedules, this record has nothing to
identify the fact that it came from class E-F. Thus, when the
records containing those classes are brought together as a subset
for display or printing, the index term is lost, since it cannot be
related to a particular schedule.
2. PROPOSED CHANGE
The following is presented for consideration:
- Add Subfield $f (Schedule identification) in field 154 in
the USMARC Classification Format
See Attachment A for a description of the field if this change
is approved.
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ATTACHMENT A
154 General Explanatory Index Term (NR)
Indicators
First Undefined
# Undefined
Second Undefined
# Undefined
Subfield Codes
$a General explanatory index term (NR)
$b General explanatory index term--succeeding level (R)
$f Schedule identification (R)
FIELD DEFINITION AND SCOPE
This field contains a general explanatory term from the index to
the classification scheme that is identified in field 084
(Classification Scheme and Edition). Field 154 is appropriate only
in an index term record (008/06, Kind of record, code c) that is
created because the index term cannot be accommodated in a 70X-75X
Index Term field in a schedule or table record (008/06, code a or
b) that contains a classification number in field 153
(Classification Number). This occurs when the index term is not
associated with one classification number or span. Field 753
(Index Term -- Uncontrolled) is always used in a record containing
field 154 to direct the user to different locations within the
classification scheme for classifying the topic.
GUIDELINES FOR APPLYING CONTENT DESIGNATORS
INDICATORS
Both indicator positions are undefined; each contains a blank
(#).
SUBFIELD CODES
$a - General explanatory index term
Subfield $a contains a general explanatory index term
representing a general concept that may be found in numerous
places in the classification scheme identified in field 084
(Classification Scheme and Edition).
008/06 c [index term record]
084 0#$anlm$c4th ed., rev.[National Library of Medicine
Classification]
154 ##$aResearch
753 ##$i(Form number 20 or 20.5 in any NLM schedule where
applicable)
753 ##$iOther fields outside the NLM area, in appropriate LC
number
008/06 c [index term record]
084 0#$anlm$c4th ed., rev. [National Library of Medicine
Classification]
154 ##$aFollow-up studies
753 ##$i(Form number 20 in any NLM schedule where
applicable)
753 ##$iIn a particular area, with the subject of the
original study, e.g. Heart Diseases,$eWG 200
008/06 c [index term record]
084 0#$addc$bSistema de Clasificación Decimal$c1980$espa
154 ##$aEl
753 ##$iv.a. la palabra que sigue al artículo en los nombres
geográficos que comienzan con el artículo "el"
[Translation of 753: see also the word that follows the
article in geographic names that begin with the article
"el"]
$b - General explanatory index term -- succeeding level
Subfield $b contains a term at a level after the first in a
general explanatory index term.
008/06 c [index term record]
084 0#$alcc [Library of Congress Classification]
154 ##$aAdministration$bOrganization$fH
753 ##$uOrganization and administration
$f - Schedule identification
Subfield $f contains the identification of the schedule or
subclass to which the general explanatory index term is
related.
008/06 c [index term record]
084 0#$alcc [Library of Congress Classification]
154 $aCivil wars$fE-F
753 $uMilitary history under individual countries
RELATED USMARC DOCUMENT/FIELD
008/06 Kind of record
084 Classification Scheme and Edition
753 Index Term--Uncontrolled
Library of Congress