6XX Fields in Shared Cataloging Copy
6xx Indicators 1,2,3,5,6,8 | 6xx Indicator 4 | 6xx Indicator 7 | 653 fields | 655 fields | Enhance Requirements
This procedure covers the handling of 65x fields with second indicators 4 and 7, 653 fields, and 655 fields in shared cataloging copy. NOTE : Library of Congress subject headings (6xx fields with second indicator 0) should be present on our bibliographic records (exceptions include most fictional works and most UF theses records). Please add Library of Congress subject headings to records when needed. If adding subject headings is outside of your job duties, pass on the material to higher level cataloging staff.
As background, below is a list of second indicator values for 6xx fields:
| 0 | Library of Congress (LC) subject heading |
| 1 | LC Annotated Card Program (AC) Subject Heading for Children's Literature |
| 2 | National Library of Medicine (NLM) subject heading |
| 3 | National Agricultural Library (NAL) subject heading |
| 4 | Source not specified |
| 5 | Canadian subject heading/NLC authority file |
| 6 | Repertoire des vedettes-matiere/NLC authority file |
| 7 | Source is specified in subfield |2 |
| 8 | Sears subject heading |
These 6xx fields contain headings from other valid thesauri. Leave them in the record, but add 6xx second indicator 0 to these records when needed. If adding subject headings is outside of your job duties, pass on the material to higher level cataloging staff. Per Enhance requirements, 6xx second indicator 1,2,3,5,6,8 fields should remain in the enhanced OCLC record.
The vast majority of 6xx second indicator 4 fields contain authorized LC subject headings; in fact they often duplicate 6xx second indicator 0 headings on the record. In these cases, remove from ALEPH the 6xx fields with second indicator 4. If there is no duplicate 6xx second indicator 0 heading, verify that the 6xx second indicator 4 heading is a LC subject heading. If so, change the second indicator 4 to 0. If it is not, add the correct 6xx second indicator 0 heading. Per Enhance requirements, 6xx second indicator 4 fields should remain in the enhanced OCLC record.
Typically, 6xx second indicator 7 fields contain non-English headings based on foreign thesauri. Often these headings conflict with LC headings and in some cases are cross references on LC authorities. The resulting split files confuse patrons and add to the numbers of authority maintenance. For these reasons, our policy is to delete from ALEPH 6xx with second indicator 7 fields. Per Enhance requirements, 6xx Indicator 7 fields should remain in the enhanced OCLC record.
Exception: Do not delete 6xx fields with second indicator 7 and with |2 nasat (nasat=NASA thesaurus).
653 fields contain subject terms not derived from controlled subject heading lists. They may be retained or deleted from ALEPH at the discretion of the cataloger. Per Enhance requirements, 653 fields should remain in the enhanced OCLC record.
655 fields contain genre index terms. Do not delete 655 fields.
Enhance libraries have special requirements as regards 6XX fields. The following information is taken from OCLC's Enhance Training Outline:
4. When in doubt, don't. Never remove data from a record unless it is clearly incorrect. Leave subject headings and call numbers in the record unless they are clearly wrong. Use judgment on the determination of predominant subject emphasis.
1. In UKM records, 653 fields should be retained, but other 65x fields with second indicator "4" may be edited to agree with the LC subject authority file (changing second indicator to "0").
After enhancing a record and submitting it to OCLC, please follow the instructions above to remove or revise the 6xx with indicator 4 fields and to remove the 6xx with indicator 7 fields from ALEPH.
Indexed:
6XX Fields in Shared Cataloging Copy
Subject Fields in Shared Cataloging Copy
Prepared by: Betsy Simpson
Updated by: Nancy Poehlmann
Last updated : September 29, 2008
