Updated: 8/3/2005
Non-English Language Catalog Records in WorldCat
Definition
A non-English language catalog record is a record where elements of the description (e.g., the general material designation, the physical description, cataloger-constructed notes, some name headings, etc.) are not expressed in English. This is not the same as English language catalog records which happen to describe items where the text of the item is in a language other than English.
WorldCat is still primarily based on a single master record approach. As part of OCLC becoming the leading global library cooperative, however, it has long been envisioned that WorldCat woiuld need a parallel record structure to display records by language of cataloging.
Effective October 2003, OCLC policy has changed to allow for parallel records within WorldCat by language of cataloging. This policy applies only to online cataloging and not to records contributed via batchload. OCLC will address batchload in the future with the Oracle implementation. OCLC Members Council's Cataloging and Metadata Interest Group approved this interim policy at its May 2003 meeting. This change in policy allowing parallel records anticipates the implementation of the relational database capabilities that will be possible once Oracle has been fully implemented. Because that implementation is still a few years away, this change is being introduced as an interim solution.
Policy
Previously, records for the same title, but cataloged in different languages, such as English, Spanish, and French, were considered duplicate records. OCLC will no longer consider these records duplicates, but will consider them parallel records. Note: Only one record per language of descriptive cataloging will be allowed for each title.
When searching within WorldCat, if the matching record is cataloged in a language other than that used by the inputting library, the library may enter a parallel record in its language of descriptive cataloging. When using an existing record for copy cataloging, however, do not change notes to English and do not change the language of cataloging if upgrading the Master Record. Records should never become hybrids of several languages of cataloging.
Libraries may add call numbers and subjects headings not already represented on English and non-English records as allowed under their cataloging authorizations. The language of a particular subject heading scheme does not have a bearing on the language of the descriptive cataloging. Libraries should locally edit an existing record to meet their needs when changing the master record conflicts with the new policy.
Coding of Field 040 Subfield ‡b
Field 040 subfield ‡b contains the MARC language code of the language of the cataloging. If no 040 subfield ‡b is present, the language of the cataloging is assumed to be English. Non-English language catalog records should always contain the corresponding MARC language code for the language of the cataloging. It is not uncommon for this element to be missing or in error. Correcting or reporting such errors will likely help in the future reconfiguration of the database.
You may include 040 subfield ‡b eng in catalog records if you wish, and it may become a requirement in bibliographic records in the future. In the infrequent cases (such as vendor records) where you are changing the language of the cataloging to English, you must either delete 040 subfield ‡b to remove the non-English language code or edit 040 subfield ‡b to change the code to eng.
Use of FIeld 936
In order for records to be clearly marked as parallel records, libraries inputting or editing records online who have identified their record as parallel to an existing record cataloged in another language are asked to add field 936, either to the new record being created or to the existing record being upgraded, in order to link the records. Addition of a 936 field, a locally defined OCLC field that has previously been used for last issue consulted information, will allow OCLC to group parallel records entered into WorldCat together more easily once the Oracle display solution is implemented.
When entering a 936 field to indicate existence of a parallel record, use blank indicator values. Enter the OCLC control number of the parallel record in subfield $a preceded by the uppercase letters PR and a space.
If you identify more than one parallel record (such as records in both Spanish and French, with your new record in English), you may enter the OCLC numbers for all the parallel records that you identify, with spaces between them. OCLC does not, however, require entry of more than one parallel record number in the 936 field.
Vendor Records
Vendor records were first added to WorldCat in early 1996. Enhance participants are encouraged to upgrade vendor records contributed in non-English languages instead of considering them parallel records. Vendor records may be identified by the presence of field 938 (Vendor-Specific Ordering Data) and the presence of a vendor symbol in field 040 subfields $a and $c. See the Vendor Record Contribution Program Participants List for a current list of vendors and their symbols. Libraries may change the language of vendor records to the language of the upgrading library when upgrading vendor records to full level. Remember that field 938 cannot be changed, added, or deleted in a locked record, although it can be deleted from an unlocked record for local editing.
Records with Vernacular Data
See Enhance Training Outline, 13.f. for OCLC guidelines for records that include vernacular data.
UNMUL Note. Major vendors of non-English, roman language materials that currently contribute records to OCLC and their OCLC Symbol:
- Aux Amateurs de Livres (AUXAM)
- Baker & Taylor (BAKER)
- Casalini (C3L)
- Harrassowitz (OHX)
- Iberbook (I5B)
- Ingram Library Services (IG#)
- Puvill (PL#)
- Touzot (TZT)