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The Library of Congress > Cataloging, Acquisitions > PCC > NACO > LC Guidelines for Use of Records in OCLC for Copy Cataloging Language of Cataloging

Subfield $b of the 040 field (Language of cataloging) contains a code for the language used in cataloging; i.e., the language used in notes, subject headings, etc. Do not confuse this with the language of text (008/35-37). In OCLC, it is common to find records in which the language of cataloging is French. The National Library of Canada as well as various university libraries in France are sources for these records.

With respect to copy cataloging, observe the following two points:

  1. records issued by the National Library of Canada are candidates for use in copy cataloging ONLY if the language of cataloging is English;
  2. use English as the language of cataloging in all copy cataloging records and change cataloging terms as necessary; if 040 subfield $b is present, either delete it or insure that it is "eng" for English.

Use the following tables for explicit directions in using records for copy cataloging for which the language of cataloging is not English.

Treatment of National Library of Canada Records for Books
Condition (Record in OCLC) Dispositon at LC Replace/Merge Process at OCLC 040 $b in Record issued by LC
040 $b contains "fre" (alone or with "eng") AND NLC present in 040 $a or $c or both Do not use for copy cat per agreement between OCLC and NLC; if imported (symbol in 040 is now CaOONL), do as full LC (040 = DLC$DLC) with NO copy cat indicia in record Technically possible but not to be done per agreement between OCLC and NLC; if imported to LC, do as full LC to avoid replace/merge at OCLC Since NLC record not to be used for copy cat, there should be no 040 $b present in record
040 $b contains "eng" AND NLC present in 040 $a or $c or both Candidate for use for copy cat (symbol in 040 is now CaOONL) Yes As in record imported for use in LC
Treatment of Records for Books, Other Than NLC, With Language of Cataloging Other Than English
Condition (Record in OCLC) Disposition at LC Replace/Merge Process at OCLC 040 $b in lccopycat Record Issued by LC
040 $b indicates language of cataloging other than English (e.g., "fre") Candidate for use for copy cat BUT change language of cataloging to English Yes Change to "eng" or delete

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