MARC = MAchine Readable Cataloging Record

authority record

contains standardized forms for names, titles, and subjects used in bibl. records

provides cross reference in catalogs

PROVIDES AUTHORITY CONTROL

establishes recognized form for an entity name; creates an ACCESS POINT in a bibliographic record

Authority Record has 3 Basic Components

Headings: forms access point

Cross-References: directs user to a variant from ("see") or another authority record ("See also")

Notes: contain general info about heading or specialized info (ex: citation)

MARC Terms

Fields: each authority record is divided into fields; they are represented by numbers instead of text

Indicators: 2 numbers following the fields, numbers (0-9); if #, then undefined

Subfields: delimiters (characters: $,+, @) and a lowercase letter or a number

bibliographic record

contains information about an item

MARC record carries the headings but does not set the rules

Using MARC as the standard allows libraries to share authority information and prevents duplication of work