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855 Captions and Pattern-Indexes (R)

Find the field definition and scope, indicators, subfield codes, and guidelines for applying content designations for field 855.

Indicators and subfield codes

First Indicator

Undefined

blank          Undefined

Second Indicator

Undefined

blank          Undefined

Subfield Codes

‡a-‡h   Enumeration captions

‡a        First level of enumeration (NR)

‡b        Second level of enumeration (NR)

‡c        Third level of enumeration (NR)

‡d        Fourth level of enumeration (NR)

‡e        Fifth level of enumeration (NR)

‡f        Sixth level of enumeration (NR)

‡g        Alternative numbering scheme, first level of enumeration (NR)

‡h        Alternative numbering scheme, second level of enumeration (NR)

‡i-‡m   Chronology captions

‡i         First level of chronology (NR)

‡j         Second level of chronology (NR)

‡k        Third level of chronology (NR)

‡l         Fourth level of chronology (NR)

‡m       Alternative numbering scheme, chronology (NR)

‡n        Pattern note (NR)

‡o        Type of unit (R)

‡p        Number of pieces per issuance (NR)

‡t        Copy (NR)

‡u        Bibliographic units per next higher level (R)

‡v        Numbering continuity (R)

‡w       Frequency (NR)

‡x        Calendar change (NR)

‡y        Regularity pattern (R)

‡z        Numbering scheme (R)

‡2        Source of caption abbreviation (R)

‡3        Materials specified (NR)

‡6        Linkage (NR)

‡8        Field link and sequence number (R)

 

Field definition and scope

This field contains the caption that is appropriate for each level of enumeration and chronology that is present in a related 865 Enumeration and Chronology-Indexes field and codes that define the publication pattern of the item. A display may be generated from the contents of field 855 and the related 865 field(s) to which it is linked by subfield ‡8 (Field link and sequence number).

A general description of the four types of holdings data fields, their relationship to each other, and the repeatability of each is given in the 853-878 Holdings Data-General Information section.

Guidelines for applying content designations

Indicators

Both indicator positions are undefined; each contains a blank (blank).

First Indicator - Undefined

blank - Undefined

Second Indicator - Undefined

blank - Undefined

Subfields

‡a-‡h - Enumeration captions

Subfields ‡a-‡h contain the captions for the levels of enumeration applicable to a bibliographic item. These caption subfields are correlated with the enumeration subfields ‡a-‡h in the 865 Enumeration and Chronology field linked to the 855, although the same subfields need not always be present. Full correlation of caption and enumeration level subfields ‡a-‡h in linked 855/865 fields is recommended in OCLC local holdings records. If there is no caption on the item for some level, a caption may be invented and enclosed in brackets ([ ]) or an asterisk used in place of data in order to achieve full correlation.

When alternative numbering schemes are applicable to an item, subfields ‡g and ‡h contain the alternative enumeration captions. If captions for more than two levels of alternative enumeration are required, an 868 Textual Holdings field is used.

When only Chronology captions are used on an item (that is, the item carries no enumeration), the Chronology captions may be contained in either the relevant enumeration subfields ($a-$h) or chronology subfields ($i-$m), with the chronology subfields ($i-$m) preferred whenever possible. If a Chronology caption is not to be used in a display of the 863-865 Enumeration and Chronology field, it is enclosed in parentheses, e.g., (year).

When a supplement or index designation is used as a caption (which occurs if its numbering relates to a particular volume or part of the bibliographic unit, e.g. v. 9, suppl. 1-3) the designation is contained in the relevant Enumeration caption subfield ($a-$f).


854    00$81$av.$bsuppl.$i(year)$j(month)$k(day)
864    41$81.1$a16$b1$i1977$j06$k01
          [Display example: v.16:suppl.1 (1977: June 1)]

When the enumeration consists of the number of units held followed by a term describing the units, the entire phrase is contained in the 863 field, and the 853 field contains the term unit (in parentheses if display is not desired).

853    03$81$a(unit)
863    #1$81.1$a50 playing cards

‡a - First level of enumeration

Subfield ‡a contains the caption for the highest level of enumeration. The designation for an unnumbered (e.g., new ser.) or a numbered (e.g., ser. 5) series is considered part of the caption.

‡b - Second level of enumeration

Subfield ‡b contains the caption for the second level of enumeration.

‡c - Third level of enumeration

Subfield ‡c contains the caption for the third level of enumeration.

‡d - Fourth level of enumeration

Subfield ‡d contains the caption for the fourth level of enumeration.

‡e - Fifth level of enumeration

Subfield ‡e is unlikely to be used.

‡f - Sixth level of enumeration

Subfield ‡f is unlikely to be used.

‡g - Alternative numbering scheme, first level of enumeration

Subfield ‡g contains the caption for the highest level of an alternative numbering scheme.

‡h - Alternative numbering scheme, second level of enumeration

Subfield ‡h contains the caption for the second level of an alternative numbering scheme.

‡i-‡m - Chronology captions

Subfields ‡i-‡m contain the captions for the levels of chronology applicable to a bibliographic item. These caption subfields are correlated with the chronology subfields ‡i-‡m in the 865 Enumeration and Chronology field linked to the 855 field, although the same subfields need not always be present. Full correlation of caption and chronology level subfields ‡i-‡m in the 855/865 fields is recommended in OCLC local holdings records. Because bibliographic items generally do not carry chronology captions, a caption may be invented and enclosed in brackets ([ ]) in order to achieve full correlation.

When an alternative chronology scheme is applicable to an item, subfield ‡m contains the alternative chronology caption. If captions for more than one level of alternative chronology are required, an 868 Textual Holdings field is used.

When only Chronology captions are used on an item (that is, the item carries no enumeration), the Chronology may be contained in either the relevant enumeration subfields ($a-$h) or chronology subfields ($i-$m), with the chronology subfields ($i-$m) preferred whenever possible. If a Chronology caption is not to be used in a display of the 863-865 Enumeration and Chronology field, it is enclosed in parentheses, e.g., (year).

853    03$81$i(year)
863    40$81.1$i1964-1981
          [An annual publication identified only by year.]

‡i - First level of chronology

Subfield ‡i contains the caption for the highest level of chronology.

‡j - Second level of chronology

Subfield ‡j contains the caption for the second level of chronology.

‡k - Third level of chronology

Subfield ‡k contains the caption for the third level of chronology.

‡l - Fourth level of chronology

Subfield ‡l contains the caption for the fourth level of chronology.

‡m - Alternative numbering scheme, chronology

Subfield ‡m contains the caption for an alternative chronology scheme.

‡n - Pattern note

Subfield ‡n contains an explanatory note citing the specific year and issue used to prepare the regularity pattern coding expressed in the field.

‡o - Type of unit

Subfield ‡o contains a caption that describes the type of unit (e.g., annual buyer's guide, subject index) in the enumeration hierarchy when it has no associated sequence numbering. When used, subfield ‡o immediately follows the caption to which it applies.

855            ‡8 1 ‡a (year) ‡o Alphabetical index

865   3       ‡8 1.1. ‡a 1969/1978

If the title of the unit is different from the indication of the type, the title is recorded in subfield ‡o (Title of unit) of the 865 Enumeration and Chronology field.

‡p - Number of pieces per issuance

Subfield ‡p contains a numeric value that represents the number of physical parts or pieces received per issuance. This technique allows for describing the behavior of items issued in parts. Subfield ‡p is only coded in cases where the number of parts or pieces is different from the publishing frequency expressed in subfield ‡w. All codeable frequency information should be placed in subfield ‡w.

‡t - Copy

Caption for the copy number when the 863-865 Enumeration and Chronology field linked to the 853-855 field contains a subfield ‡t (Copy number).

853    22$81$av.$bno.$u4$vr$i(year)$j(month)$wq$x12$tc.

863    40$81.1$a1-4$b1-3$t3

‡u - Bibliographic units per next higher level

Subfield ‡u contains either a number that specifies the total number of parts or units that comprise the next higher level of enumeration or the code var or und. Subfield ‡u may be used with each level of enumeration except the first level (subfield ‡a or ‡g) because there is no higher level. When it is used, subfield ‡u follows the caption subfield for the enumeration level to which it applies.

<n> - Number of parts

The total number of parts that constitute the next higher level of enumeration for example, a quarterly publication requires 4 issues to make 1 volume. Because subfield ‡u is variable in length, no leading zero is used for a single-character number.

Combined issues are counted as one part.

var - Varies Code

Code var is used when the total number of parts that constitute the next higher level of enumeration varies so much that a specific number in subfield ‡u would be meaningless.

und - Undetermined

Code und is used when the next higher level of enumeration is known to have parts but the number of parts is unknown.

‡v - Numbering continuity

Subfield ‡v contains a one-character code that indicates whether the enumeration has continuously incrementing numbers or whether the numbering restarts at the completion of a specific unit. Subfield ‡v may be used with each level of enumeration except the first level (subfield ‡a or ‡g). Subfield ‡v follows the caption subfield and the subfield ‡u (Bibliographic units at next higher level) for the enumeration to which it applies.

c - Number increments continuously

r - Number restarts at the completion of the unit

‡w - Frequency

Subfield ‡w contains either a one-character alphabetic code or a number that indicates the publication frequency of the item. Subfield ‡w is not related to a specific caption. It is input following the last chronology caption used. Specific publishing pattern information is contained in subfield ‡y (Regularity pattern), including exceptions to the frequency coded in this subfield. Subfield ‡p is also used when both a frequency code and number of pieces per issuance need to be recorded for multipart titles.

Codes

A one-character alphabetic code is used for a publishing pattern that has a fundamental periodicity, for example, code q indicates that the item is published quarterly.

a - Annual                                                        j - Three times a month

b - Bimonthly                                                  k - Continuously updated

c - Semiweekly                                               m - Monthly

d - Daily                                                            q - Quarterly

e - Biweekly                                                     s - Semimonthly

f - Semiannual                                                t - Three times a year

g - Biennial                                                      w - Weekly

h - Triennial                                                     x - Completely irregular

i - Three times a week

Number

A number is used to specify the number of issues per year when no codeable periodicity exists. Because subfield ‡w is variable in length, no leading zero is used for a single-character number.

‡x - Calendar change

Subfield ‡x contains one or more two- or four-character numeric codes that indicate the chronological point at which the highest level increments or changes.

Codes

A two-character code identifies the month or season of change. A four-character code in the pattern mmdd(2 for the month and 2 for the day) identifies the month and day of change. A month or day code of less than two digits is right justified and the unused position contains a zero.

Month                                                     Day                                                      Season

01-12 - Month                            01-31 - Day                            21 - Spring

                                                    22 - Summer

                                                    23 - Autumn

                                                    24 - Winter

When there is more than one change in a year (for example, 12 numbers per year are issued as 2 volumes per year), all of the calendar change codes are contained in one subfield ‡x and the codes are separated by a comma. Subfield ‡x is not related to a specific caption. It is input following the last subfield.

‡y - Regularity pattern

Subfield ‡y contains codes that describe the regularity of the publishing pattern coded in subfield ‡w (Frequency). The subfield may be structured as either a chronology type or enumeration type. Both types begin with a publication code.

Publication Code

The first one-character code in both the chronology type and enumeration type indicates whether the subsequent codes refer to the publication or the nonpublication of part(s) of the item or the combination of either enumeration or chronology elements.

c - Combined

o - Omitted

p - Published

Chronology Type

The chronology type of regularity pattern is structured as:

<Publication Code><Chronology Code Definition>,<Chronology Code><Chronology Code>,...

The subfield may contain one or more chronology codes that are associated with the publication code and chronology code definition that are in the first and second character position of the subfield. The subfield may be repeated to allow for coding more than one publication code/chronology code definition/chronology code string to indicate regular exceptions to a specified regularity pattern (i.e. normalized irregulars).

Chronology Code Definition

The second one-character code in the subfield indicates whether the subsequent Chronology Code(s) represent the name of a day, a numeric month or month and day code, a code for a season of the year, or a code for a week of the month or year. If the subfield describes regularity in terms of enumeration, this code is "e".

d - Day

m - Month

s - Season

w - Week

y - Year

Chronology Code

The chronology code in the chronology type indicates the designation of the part of the item for which regularity pattern information is provided. Multiple codes are separated by a comma. A slash (/) is used to designate combined issues.

Two-character alphabetic or numeric codes are used for days, weeks, months, and/or seasons. A four character code is used to indicate a year or year combination. A code of less than two digits is right justified and the unused position contains a zero.

Chronology Type and Code Patterns

Chronology type code Possible chronology cod e pattern Example Example meaning
d dd su Sunday
d DD 08 Eighth day of each month
m MM 09 September
d MMDD 0925 September 25
s SS 22 Summer
w WWdd 03we Third Wednesday
w MMWWdd 0599tu Last Tuesday in May
w MMWWdd 0802we Second Wednesday in August
w MMWW 1204 Fourth week in December
y YYYY yyy1/yyy2 Span over 2 years

Pattern Description

Pattern Meaning Characteristics Possible values - summary
dd day alpha mo-su
DD day numeric 01-31
ww week numeric 01-53
WW week numeric 99, 98, 97, 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05
MM month numeric 01-12
SS season numeric 21, 22, 23, 24
y year numeric 2002

Pattern values

Day of week - dd

mo - Monday

tu - Tuesday

we - Wednesday

th - Thursday

fr - Friday

sa - Saturday

su - Sunday

Week - ww

01-53

Month - MM

01-12

Week of Month - WW

99 - Last

98 - Next to Last

97 - Third to Last

00 - Every

01 - First

02 - Second

03 - Third

04 - Fourth

05 - Five

Day of Month - DD

01-31

Season - SS

21 - spring

22 - summer

23 - autumn

24 - winter

Enumeration Type

The enumeration type is structured as:

<Publication Code><Enumeration Code Definition>,<Enumeration Code><Enumeration Code>,...

An enumeration code may occupy the second and third positions after subfield ‡y to provide for regularity patterns for items that use only enumeration for sequencing and/or those items whose sequencing must be specified separately when combinations occur.

Enumeration Code Definition

The second code in the subfield indicates whether the subsequent codes represent enumeration rather than chronology. When code "e" is used, an additional numeric code is added to indicate the level of enumeration to which the regularity applies.

e1 - Enumeration, 1st level

e2 - Enumeration, 2nd level

Enumeration Code

The enumeration code following the enumeration code definition indicates the designation of the issues of the item for which regularity pattern information is provided. Multiple designations are separated by a comma. A slash (/) is used to designate a combined issue.

The presence of continuous numbering (subfield ‡v, code c) in conjunction with an enumeration code signals the combination of specific numbers in the sequence of specific issues. Because of the continuous numbering, the actual enumeration values cannot be used to express the enumeration in subfield ‡y. Enumerative values must be represented in terms of the number of issues expected to be published to allow combined issue prediction to occur.

Automated systems may construct algorithms to predict the second level of continuous enumeration based on the starting value of the second level of enumeration at the beginning of the subscription cycle.

The Regularity pattern codes, along with additional examples, are maintained by the Library of Congress and are available online at www.loc.gov/marc/chrono_patterns.html.

‡z - Numbering scheme

Subfield ‡z contains a six character code string used to designate the numbering scheme used on a publication. The codes allow for recording different numbering schemes at different levels of enumeration.

Type of designation

The first one-character code indicates whether the numbering is a number, letter or combined (number first or letter first). Combined should only be used when one of the elements is a constant designation (e.g., 1a, 2a, 3a), rather than actually two different levels of enumeration (e.g., 1a, 1b, 1c).

a - Number

b - Letter

c - Combined, number first

d- Combined, letter first

e - Symbol or special character

Case

The second one-character code indicates if a numbering scheme is conveyed as alphas and applies both to those coded in the previous position as "b" or to Roman numerals.

a - No case

b - Lower case

c - Upper case

d - Mixed case

Script Code/Type Code

The third through sixth positions indicate either the script used in the numbering scheme or, for numerals or symbols that are not in alternate scripts, the type of numeral or symbol used. The script code is a four-character code from the list at www.unicode.org/iso15924/. The type code is as follows:

an Blank Blank - Arabic numeral

rn Blank Blank  - Roman numeral

sy<symbol> Blank - Symbol

‡2 - Source of caption abbreviation

Subfield ‡2 contains the MARC code that identifies the source of the abbreviations used in the captions of the field. Code from Caption Abbreviation Source Codes.

‡3 - Materials specified

Subfield ‡3 contains information that specifies the range of volumes or dates to which the field applies.

‡6 - Linkage

See Control subfields for a description of subfield ‡6.

‡8 - Field link and sequence number

Subfield ‡8 contains data that identifies linked holdings data fields and may also propose a sequence for the linked fields. Subfield ‡8 is required in 855 fields in OCLC local holdings records.

The structure and syntax for subfield ‡8 in the 855 field is: ‡8<linking number>

The linking number is the only data element used in subfield ‡8 in the 855 field. It is a variable-length whole number that occurs in subfield ‡8 in all 865 fields that are to be linked to the 855 field. Fields with the same linking number are considered linked. A linking number of "0" (zero) is not used in this field.

Subfield ‡8 is always the first subfield in the 855 field.

Input conventions

Punctuation

A period following an abbreviation used as a caption is carried in the MARC record.

Ordinal numbers

To indicate that ordinal numbers should be displayed, a plus sign (+) may be used preceding the caption. If no caption is entered, a plus sign may be recorded alone to indicate display of the corresponding 865 subfield as an ordinal number.

Note that there is no requirement that this technique of distinguishing between ordinal and cardinal numbers be used, nor is there any requirement that any differentiation need be made. A system would require internal language tables to display the correct ordinal numbers. There is no provision in the holdings format for communicating these tables.

Caption displays

If there is no caption on the item for some level, a caption may be invented and enclosed in brackets ([]) or an asterisk used in place of data in order to achieve full correlation. Parentheses are used around a caption to suppress display.

853   0   3   ‡8 1 ‡a v. ‡b [no.]
[Caption is invented and is not on the piece]

853   2   0   ‡8 1 ‡a v. ‡i (year)

863   3   0   ‡8 1.1. ‡a 1-10 ‡i 1988-1998

Abbreviations

The abbreviations used in subfields ‡a-‡h are recorded according to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (Appendix B: Abbreviations).

Field repeatability

A single 855 Captions and Pattern field may apply to more than one 865 Enumeration and Chronology field if the contents of the subfields remain constant. The 855 field is repeated when the contents of the subfields varies. For items that have continually varying captions and pattern, an organization may choose to use the Textual Holdings (868) field.