September 1, 2005

**MARC 21 655 FIELD AND "GENRE" TERMS** **FOR MUSIC**

**QUESTIONNAIRE**

This questionnaire addresses libraries' use in cataloging of field 655
(Index Term--Genre/Form) of the MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
Some of the questions address libraries' use of that field to provide
access to musical compositions using form/genre/type/style terms from
the Library of Congress Subject Headings that meet the libraries'
criteria for assignment to field 655. Responses will be used in the
preparation of a session on the use of genre and form terms for subject
access in library catalogs to be given at the February 2006 conference
of the Music Library Association (MLA) in Memphis, Tenn. This
questionnaire and the conference session itself are jointly sponsored by
MLA's Subject Access Subcommittee and Technical Services Round Table.
The conference session will include a paper titled "The Use of Form and
Genre Terms for Subject Access in the Field of Music" by Geraldine
Ostrove, Library of Congress Cataloging Policy and Support Office, who
prepared the questionnaire.

Though the session's planners are aware that many libraries use MARC
field 655 for "genre" terms from a variety of controlled vocabularies,
and that some libraries use the 655 for music terms from LCSH, so far we
do not have empirical data to demonstrate the extent and nature of this
use for music. While for the MLA session being planned none of the
presentations will be for the sole purpose of reporting results of this
questionnaire, the responses will provide useful background information
and may subsequently lead to publication of new research findings in a
currently active area of interest in the field of music librarianship.

Please answer the questionnaire if your library

1\) Presently uses the 655 field, whether or not for music

2\) Is considering using the 655 field, whether or not for music

3\) Has considered using the 655 field but has decided against it

Notice of this questionnaire is being posted only on MLA-L. If there are
others in your library who don't subscribe to MLA-L who you think ought
to respond on your library's behalf, kindly bring the questionnaire to
their attention. A library or other institution may submit more than one
response.

The questionnaire is available in two formats: as a PDF file to print
out and fill in by hand
\<<http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/655quest.pdf>\>, and as an MS-Word
file that may be filled in online, saved, and returned by email
\<<http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/655quest.doc>\>. Respondents are
encouraged to send relevant accompanying documents such as in-house
guides for catalogers, reference staff, and library users, images of
OPAC interfaces, and MARC bibliographic and authority records.
[Responses and accompanying documents should be sent in time to be
received no later than September 30, 2005]{.underline} to:

Geraldine Ostrove

Cataloging and Support Office

Library of Congress

202-707-5828

fax: 202-707-6629

<gost@loc.gov>

**[Since mail sent to the Library of Congress through the United States
Post Office may be subject to delay in order to be inspected for
hazardous substances, it is preferable to send replies by fax or
online.]{.underline}** Attachments to email messages are acceptable. If
regular mail is the only practical way to send certain documents, please
use the email address above to obtain a private address to which they
may be sent.

Owing to the nature of this inquiry, names of responding libraries will
be made known in public reports. However, specific answers to questions
and quotations from accompanying documents will not be associated with
the library that submitted them. Respondents will receive a tabulation
of the responses.

**QUESTIONNAIRE: MARC 21 AND "GENRE" TERMS FOR MUSIC**

\[MS-Word version\]

This library's name and address: Date:

Person(s) responding to the questionnaire (name, title, library address,
email address):

List of accompanying documents also submitted:

**1. This library's MARC 21 coding for "genre" terms**

a.  This library uses the **655** field for "genre" terms

    \_\_ For the following disciplines other than music (indicate year
    begun for each):

    \_\_ For the discipline of music (year begun: \_\_\_\_\_\_)

b.  This library was prompted to use the **655** field for the following
    reasons (check all that apply):

    \_\_ The field was used in cataloging copy acquired from a utility

    \_\_ Perceived need by [library users]{.underline} of certain types
    of materials

    \_\_ Cartographic materials

    \_\_ Graphic materials

    \_\_ Moving image materials

    \_\_ Music

    \_\_ Spoken records

    \_\_ Other (please specify)
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    \_\_ Perceived need by [library staff]{.underline} specializing in
    certain types of materials

    \_\_ Cartographic materials

    \_\_ Graphic materials

    \_\_ Moving image materials

    \_\_ Music

    \_\_ Spoken records

    \_\_ Other (please specify)
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    \_\_ Perceived need by [library administration]{.underline}
    regarding certain types of materials

    \_\_ Cartographic materials

    \_\_ Graphic materials

    \_\_ Moving image materials

    \_\_ Music

    \_\_ Spoken records

    \_\_ Other (please specify)
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    \_\_ Perceived trend toward adoption of the 655 by various special
    interest cataloging communities (please indicate which ones)
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    \_\_ The availability in this library's present library system of a
    suitable OPAC interface for the 655 field

    \_\_ The anticipated availability in the near future of a suitable
    OPAC 655 interface in this library's present system or in one it
    intends to change to

    \_\_ Other (please describe)

c\. \_\_ This library uses the **650** field for "genre" terms in music

d\. If this library uses both the **655** and **650** fields, are the
same terms assigned to both field tags?

\_\_ yes

\_\_ no

Please state the guidelines governing the library's practice.

e\. This library is considering use of the 655 field

\_\_ For the following disciplines other than music (indicate tentative
year to begin for each)

\_\_ For the [discipline of]{.underline} music (tentative year to begin:
\_\_\_\_\_\_)

f.  This library has considered using the 655 field but decided (year:
    \_\_\_\_\_\_) against it for the following reasons:

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2.  **Subject heading vocabularies.** This library uses the following
    subject heading system(s), putting its terms in the following MARC
    21 fields:

    [Term List]{.underline} [650]{.underline} [655]{.underline}

    \_\_ Library of Congress Subject Headings \_\_\_ \_\_\_

    \_\_ American Theological Library Association Religion Database
    Genre Terms \_\_\_ \_\_\_

    \_\_ Art and Architecture Thesaurus \_\_\_ \_\_\_

    \_\_ Canadian Subject Headings \_\_\_ \_\_\_

    \_\_ Guidelines on Subject Access to Individual Works of Fiction,
    Drama, Etc. \_\_\_ \_\_\_

    \_\_ Medical Subject Headings \_\_\_ \_\_\_

    \_\_ Newspaper Genre Terms \_\_\_ \_\_\_

    \_\_ Rare Books and Manuscripts Thesauri \_\_\_ \_\_\_

    \_\_ Répertoire des vedettes-matire \_\_\_ \_\_\_

    \_\_ Thesaurus of Graphic Materials \_\_\_ \_\_\_

    \_\_ Other (please
    specify)\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
    \_\_\_ \_\_\_

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3.  **Selection of terms for the 655 field**

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a.  Eligible terms from the vocabulary list(s) checked in question 2.
    above

    \_\_ Headings

    \_\_ Subdivisions

    \_\_ Topical

    \_\_ Geographic

    \_\_ Chronological

    \_\_ Form

b.  Who (by position title) selected or selects the music terms for the
    655 field?

c.  What are the criteria for the selection and omission of music terms
    for the 655 field?

d.  Has this library introduced a "top term" concept that enables all
    the music terms eligible for or used in the 655 field to be so
    identified?

    \_\_ yes

    \_\_ no

1\) If "yes," please describe.

2)  If "yes," is there a list that is made known and available to
    end-users of the OPAC?

    \_\_ yes

    \_\_ no

    If "yes," please describe.

    **4. Definitions for 655 field headings**

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a.  What does this library call the music terms in the 655 field? (Check
    all that apply)

    \_\_ genre terms

    \_\_ form/genre terms

    \_\_ form terms

    \_\_ other (please specify)
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

b.  What is the scope or the official definition of the term(s) in
    question 3.a that enables the library to decide which LCSH terms in
    the field of music can be assigned to the 655 field?

c.  Does this library also use the 650_0 (LCSH) field for certain terms
    **[for musical works]{.underline}** (i.e., as distinct from LCSH
    topical terms in the field of music)?

    \_\_ yes

    \_\_ no

    1\) If "yes," what are these music terms called?

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2)  If "yes," how is the group of music materials defined to which the
    650 field is assigned?

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d.  To assist end users in distinguishing between terms for musical
    works in the 650_0 (LCSH) field and terms for musical works the 655
    field, how does this library describe the difference?

e.  Does this library assign headings strings such as the following to
    the 655 field? If "yes," please provide sample MARC 21 records.

    610 20 \$a Catholic Church \$v Hymns. \_\_\_ yes \_\_\_ no

    600 10 \$a Catullus, Gaius Valerius \$v Musical settings. \_\_\_ yes
    \_\_\_ no

    650 \_0 \$a Smoking \$v Songs and music. \_\_\_ yes \_\_\_ no

    650 \_0 \$a Iroquois Indians \$v Music. \_\_\_ yes \_\_\_ no

    650 \_0 \$a Clarinet \$v Studies and exercises. \_\_\_ yes \_\_\_ no

    600 10 \$a Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, \$d 1756-1791. \$v Thematic
    catalogs.

    \_\_\_ yes \_\_\_ no

    650 \_0 \$a Double bass music \$v Bibliography. \_\_\_ yes \_\_\_ no

    650 \_0 \$a Music rehearsals. \_\_\_ yes \_\_\_ no

f\. When a 655-type term needs one or more subdivisions that render the
heading topical (e.g., subdivisions such as \$x History and criticism or
\$v Bibliography) what MARC 21 bibliographic field(s) is assigned?

**5. Authority records for 655 terms**

a.  This library acquires authority records from a vendor

    \_\_ For LCSH terms

    \_\_ For other terms

    Please send sample records.

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b.  This library creates 155 field authority records for terms used in
    the 655 field

    \_\_ For LCSH terms

    \_\_ For other terms

    Please send sample records.

c.  If maintenance of the authority records is done outside the library,
    who established this library's profile?

    \_\_ The library

    \_\_ The vendor

    Please send a copy of the profile.

d.  If there are no authority records, what maintenance (addition,
    deletion, modification of terms and codes) is performed on the 655
    fields in bibliographic records?

**6. Assignment of terms**

a.  To what carriers of music are 655 terms assigned? (Check all that
    apply.)

    \_\_ Musical notation

    \_\_ Sound recordings

    \_\_ Moving images

    \_\_ Remote electronic resources consisting of \_\_notation \_\_
    sound \_\_ sound with visuals

b.  To what categories of musical performances are 655 terms assigned?
    (Check all that apply.)

    \_\_ performances with sound only (whatever the carrier)

    \_\_ sound with visuals of an event or production

    \_\_ works performed in concerts

    \_\_ staged dramatic works

    \_\_ ethnomusicological works

    \_\_ field recordings

    \_\_ studio recordings

    \_\_ other (please specify)
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_­­­\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

    \_\_ performances not primarily music where the music is considered
    by the library to be

    important

    \_\_ public events and ceremonies

    \_\_ broadcasts

    \_\_ advertisements

    \_\_ other (please specify)
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

**7. Interface and technological issues**

a.  How is the 655 field indexed in the library's online system? (Check
    all that apply.)

    \_\_ subject block (6XX), left-anchored

    \_\_ subject block (6XX), keyword

    \_\_ form/genre term

    \_\_ field tag number

    \_\_ other (please specify)
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_;

b.  Where is information about searching the 655 field presented to end
    users? (Check all that apply.)

    \_\_ Library home page

    \_\_ Music library home page

    \_\_ Paper instructions posted or handed out inside the library

    \_\_ Other (please specify)
    \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

c.  If there is a search option for the terms found in the 655 field,
    how is it introduced in the OPAC?

d.  Are there separate directions in the OPAC for searching musical
    works in the 655 field?

    \_\_ yes

    \_\_ no

    If "yes," please send a copy.

e.  Please comment on the ability to search in field 655 terms in the
    field of music other than those for forms, types, styles, etc., of
    music, such as subdivisions like --Scores and parts; --Thematic
    catalogs; --Librettos; --Stories, plots, etc.; terms for activities,
    such as Music rehearsals; or terms for circumstances, such as Live
    sound recordings.

f.  Were there technological problems associated with implementing use
    of the 655 field in your library system?

    \_\_ yes

    \_\_ no

    If "yes," please describe them briefly.

g.  In your experience, do music users understand the distinction
    between 650 terms and 655 terms as searchable in your OPAC?

    \_\_ yes

    \_\_ no

    Please comment further on your answer.

    Thank you very much for responding.