MARC Manual: Understanding and Using MARC Records
A well-written, carefully edited, and nicely printed explanation of the MARC format, that bugaboo of library/information science students, practitioners who trained before computer-based cataloging became ubiquitous, and computer specialists trying to understand the arcane tools of librarians. Filled with examples, the book begins with a thoughtful chapter on MARC theory and development. Later chapters cover MARC structure and content designation, format integration, patterns, major bibliographic codes, electronic records, database processing, products, online systems, authority format, holdings format, community information format, and use in different types of libraries. A glossary and index complete the book. Byrne answers virtually every question you had about MARC and does it without using strange language, e.g., she quickly defines "content designation." (This is not a workbook like Larry Millsap and Terry Ellen Ferl's Descriptive Cataloging for the AACR2R and the Integrated MARC Format, 2d ed., Professional Media, LJ 1/98.) Recommended for professional collections, students, new practitioners, vendor/computer staff, and others who must work with MARC-based systems.?Sheila S. Intner, GSLIS, Simmons Coll., BostonCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.