The MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) standards are a set of digital formats that are extensively used in the field of library and bibliographic science. Established by the Library of Congress in the 1960s, MARC files are essential in the maintenance and operation of fully automated library systems all over the world. This article will examine different formats and ways to open and handle these important files.
Understanding MARC File Formats
MARC files can have a variety of formats, each one intended to streamline and enhance specific library operations. These can be broadly grouped into MARC21, UNIMARC and MARC XML. Of these, MARC21 is the most commonly used in North American libraries. It structures information into fields that correspond to bibliographic data entry points�including author, title, publication date, etc.� to facilitate classification, storage, search, and retrieval in automated systems.
Opening and Using MARC Files
The integrity of a MARC file and its readability by an automated system is ensured by its use of tags, indicators and subfield codes as prescribed by the specific format it uses (source). As such, in order to view or edit a MARC file, specialized software is most commonly required. One such example of software that enables a user to open and use MARC files is MarcEdit.
Alternative MARC Formats
Although MARC21 dominates in North America, in Europe, the standard digital format used is UNIMARC. And in addition to these, libraries worldwide also employ MARC XML, a modernized iteration of the MARC standard that takes advantage of web technologies to greatly enhance user interaction with library databases (source).
MARC File Important Information
We have seen how fundamentally important MARC files are to modern bibliographic and library infrastructure all over the world. Changing perspectives in library science have demanded newer and more efficient variations to the original MARC files, such as MARC XML. Regardless of variation used, compatibility and interoperability remain key considerations. Libraries need to know that their catalogs will be readable to other libraries.
