Comparison of MARC Content Designation Utilization in OCLC WorldCat Records with National, Core, and Minimal Level Record Standards

摘要

Commonly used fields and subfields in 56 million Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) WorldCat bibliographic records are identified based on the analysis of format-specific record sets and the calculation of utilization thresholds, with the purpose of comparing these elements with existing recommendations by Library of Congress (LC) agencies for national, core, and minimal level records. The background and purposes of the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) BIBCO, CONSER, and National and Minimal Level Record Requirements are reviewed. Methodology for conducting the analyses, as well as factors affecting and influencing the analysis methodology, is explained. Results of the comparison of commonly used fields and subfields with the elements prescribed in PCC BIBCO, CONSER, and National and Minimal Level Record Requirements are presented. Results provide standards designers and the cataloging community at large with information to facilitate development of cataloging recommendations and guidelines and inform practice.