Listing Art: Marc Records For Paintings

The MARC (MAchine-Readable Cataloging) record is a system of numbered fields used to catalogue books, visual materials, and objects. Each field in a MARC record corresponds to a specific piece of information, such as the title, author, publication date, etc. When cataloguing visual materials, the MARC standard recommends using specific codes to indicate the type of material, such as 'k' for graphic materials or 'a' for art originals. For unpublished single items or multi-part visual materials, cataloguers can refer to the Orbis Visual Materials Cataloguing Manual, which provides guidelines for creating MARC records. Additionally, the numbering system in MARC records can be creatively interpreted as a paint-by-numbers drawing, with each field corresponding to a specific colour.

MARC records are composed of numbered fields, starting from 000 to 999

MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloguing) is a standard set of digital formats for the machine-readable description of items catalogued by libraries, such as books, DVDs, and digital resources. MARC records are composed of numbered fields, starting from 000 to 999. Each line of the MARC record is referred to as a field, distinguished by a three-digit number that indicates the type of information contained in that field. For example, the 245 field gives the title and author of a book and can be further broken down into subfields.

The group of fields starting with 0 in a MARC record contains administrative and encoded information, call numbers, and information about the record itself. Some commonly used fields in this group are:

• 035: OCLC control number
• 040: Cataloguing source
• 041: Language of resource
• 043: Geographic area of the resource

Fields starting with 1, such as 100, indicate that the book has a main author or creator. Fields starting with 2, such as 245, indicate the title of the book. Fields starting with 3, such as 33x, are often used to refer to a group of fields related to the book's subject or content.

While most fields are further divided into subfields to provide more specific information, many fields also have indicators. These are two positions between the three-digit field number and the rest of the field, referred to as the first and second indicators. For example, in the 245 field, the first indicator tells whether the book has a main author or creator, and the second indicator tells whether the title includes an initial article and the number of characters in that article.

The numbering system of MARC records lends itself to creative expression, such as a paint-by-numbers drawing. Each MARC record can be assigned a colour palette based on its numbered fields, with each field corresponding to a specific colour. For example, field 600 can be represented by the Hex colour #600, a dark reddish colour. Multiple fields in the same range can also be combined to form a new colour.

Fields can be converted to hex numbers to represent colours

MARC records are composed of a number of fields, numbered from "000" to "999". Each of these fields can be converted into a Hex colour code, which can be used to create a paint-by-numbers image.

Hex colour codes are a way of representing colours in a format that computers can interpret and display. They are commonly used in web design and other software applications. Each Hex code is made up of three bytes, or pairs of characters, which represent the intensity of red, green, and blue in the colour. The lowest intensity of a colour is represented by "00", while ""FF" represents the highest intensity. For example, the Hex code for white is #FFFFFF, as it is made by mixing each of the three primary colours at their full intensity. On the other hand, black has a Hex code of #000000, with each colour displayed at its lowest possible intensity.

When creating a paint-by-numbers image from a MARC record, each field corresponds to a specific colour. For instance, the "600" field (Subject Added Entry — Personal Name) corresponds to a dark reddish colour (#600). Multiple fields in the same range can also be combined to form a new colour. For example, if a record has "600", "650", and "690", they can be averaged into a new colour (#646) that represents the "6xx" fields.

The resulting paint-by-numbers image will have a unique palette based on the fields present in the MARC record. However, it's important to note that the "000–999" hex palette tends to be quite dark, which may result in sombre-looking images. Choosing a different canvas or subject matter might help to create a more visually appealing result.

MARC records can be opened using MARCEdit

The "making" and "breaking" functions allow users to take data found in MARC and break the records into a mnemonic format that MARCEdit can read and interact with. Users can then make their desired edits to the records using the MarcEditor. To do this, the user must save their file in the MARC mnemonic format (.mrk) and select the location and name for the new file.

Once the user clicks "execute," the .mrk file will be available to open in the MarcEditor. It is important to note that when breaking an .mrc file and creating a new .mrk file for editing, the user is making a copy of their data in a new file format. Therefore, any edits made to the .mrk file in the MarcEditor will not automatically be reflected in the original .mrc file.

The MarcEditor can handle very large files of MARC records as it does not load all the records at the same time. Users can adjust the number of records displayed per "page" through the MarcEditor preferences, which can be accessed through the Edit → Preferences menu option or the 'Settings' icon on the opening screen of MARCEdit.

MARC Relator Codes/Terms and the RBMS Relationship Designators are useful for name access points

MARC Relator Codes/Terms and the RBMS Relationship Designators are essential for creating name access points and establishing clear connections between individuals and their roles in creating various library collection items. These terms and designators are particularly useful when cataloguing items associated with multiple contributors, such as authors, translators, illustrators, and publishers.

Relationship designators, also referred to as relator terms, are words or short phrases that precisely describe the relationships between entities and items within library collections. They are integral to current cataloguing practices, especially when clarifying the connection between an entity and a work, expression, manifestation, or item. For example, William Shakespeare is identified as the author of "Hamlet" using the relator term "author".

The use of established terms and designators ensures consistency and accuracy in cataloguing. When both the printer and publisher are named in records for pre-1821 imprints, it is recommended to use the appropriate term with each name. In cases where a person serves multiple functions, multiple relators should be used in separate subfields. For instance, "illustrator" or "former owner".

However, it's important to note that the PCC now recommends using RDA relationship designators instead of MARC relator terms and codes for new PCC cataloguing. This shift aims to standardize terminology and improve clarity in describing relationships. While terms not on RDA-established lists are acceptable, creating local relationship designators is generally discouraged.

By utilizing MARC Relator Codes/Terms and RBMS Relationship Designators, libraries can effectively create name access points and establish clear connections between individuals and their contributions to different items within their collections. This facilitates efficient retrieval and organization of information, benefiting both library staff and patrons alike.

MARC 21 Documentation provides a list of codes and scope notes for non-projected graphic materials

The MARC 21 format is a widely used standard for bibliographic data, encompassing a range of materials, including visual and non-projected graphic materials. This format is designed to provide a structured framework for cataloguing and exchanging information about various resources.

The MARC 21 format includes specific codes and scope notes to facilitate the standardised description of non-projected graphic materials. These codes cover various characteristics of the materials, ensuring consistency in the way they are catalogued and retrieved.

One of the key aspects of the MARC 21 format is its ability to describe the physical attributes of an item. For non-projected graphic materials, this includes details such as colour characteristics (e.g., monochromatic, black-and-white, multicoloured), the presence of sound, and the type of base material used.

For example, the code "c" is used to indicate colour photographic processes in items like filmstrips, transparencies, and slides. Meanwhile, codes "b" and "e" in subfields of field 300 indicate the presence or absence of sound in projected graphic materials.

The MARC 21 format also accommodates a range of other data types, including authority records, holdings records, classification schedules, and community information. This comprehensive approach ensures that the format can be applied to a wide array of resources, making it a versatile tool for libraries and other knowledge-based organisations.

By adhering to the codes and scope notes provided in the MARC 21 Documentation, cataloguers can ensure consistency and accuracy in their descriptions of non-projected graphic materials, facilitating efficient information retrieval and exchange.

Frequently asked questions