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. ------------------------------------------------------------------ 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