MARCtietueiden

MARCtietueiden, also known as MARC records, are a standardized format for representing bibliographic and related information in a machine-readable form. The acronym MARC stands for Machine-Readable Cataloging. Developed by the Library of Congress in the 1960s, MARC records are widely used in libraries, archives, and other information management systems worldwide.

MARC records are structured in a hierarchical format, with each record consisting of a leader, directory, and variable fields. The leader contains fixed-length data elements that provide basic information about the record. The directory lists the tags and lengths of the variable fields, while the variable fields contain the actual bibliographic data. Each field is identified by a unique tag, and subfields within a field are identified by alphanumeric codes.

MARC records can be exchanged between different library systems and cataloging software, facilitating interoperability and resource sharing. There are several versions of the MARC format, including MARC21, which is the most widely used, and UNIMARC, which is used primarily in Europe. Each version has its own set of tags and field definitions, but the basic structure and principles remain consistent.

MARCtietueiden are essential for cataloging and managing library collections, as they provide a standardized way to describe and organize bibliographic resources. They enable libraries to create comprehensive catalogs, support search and retrieval functions, and facilitate the exchange of bibliographic data with other institutions. Despite the advent of newer metadata standards, MARC records continue to be a fundamental tool in the library and information science community.