Another major change is about to take place in the MARC 21 Bibliographic Format, a new bibliographic level for integrating resources. Because loose-leafs are the print integrating resource, law catalogers have a real advantage. We understand their characteristics and should have no difficulty applying principles we know to the new types of integrating resources: updating Web sites and updating databases.

There is an extremely helpful PowerPoint presentation on the Internet that you should check out. It is Cataloging Integrating Resources: a Prototype PCC Training Resource by Steven Jack Miller (http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/bibco/irtrng702_files/v3_document.htm).

Schedule of Changes

As with most major changes in the MARC format, these accompany changes in descriptive cataloging. The revised documentation schedule for integrating resources is:

October, 2001 - MARC 21 revisions published
September, 2002 - AACR2 revisions due
Fall, 2002 - Library of Congress Rule Interpretations due

But, implementation of the changes will take place in two phases. On December 1, 2002, the Library of Congress will begin following the new rules. But the utilities, OCLC and RLIN, will not be ready to add the new bibliographic level "i". That will not happen before the summer of 2003. As far as I know, the repeatable 260's will be implemented at the same time.

I do have a little more information about OCLC and RLIN than I reported to the room full of people who came to the Cataloging and Classification Roundtable in Orlando. Although the new 008 coding for integrating resources will not be available in December, the new codes for integrating resources will be available for use in the serials 006. The one exception to this is that RLIN will not be ready for entry convention code "2" (006/17).

Fixed Field Codes

Beginning in December, the practice will be to code integrating resources as monographs, with bibliographic level "m" (as we do now). In addition, we are to add a serials 006, using the integrating resources codes. Many of the elements of this 006 will remain the same as we are used to in the fixed fields. The new codes for integrating resources in the 006 (and eventually in the 008) will be:

Frequency (006/01 and 008/18):
  k Continuously updated

Type of continuing resource (006/04 and 008/21):
  d Updating database
  l Updating looseleaf
  w Updating Web site

Entry convention (006/17 and 008/34):
  2 Integrated entry [Note: This will not be available in RLIN in December 2002]

Variable Field Codes

There are some changes to variable field coding, as well. Some fields that were just used for serials in the past will now be used for integrating resources too. Here is a very brief overview of variable fields that will be used to describe integrating resources.

Standard Numbers: If an integrating resource has both, give both in the catalog record.
  020 - ISBN
  022 - ISSN

Change in Title Proper: Change 245 $a/n/p to reflect the current iteration. Give the earlier title in a note.

• 247 - Former title or title variations: Use to generate title added entry and note
• 547 - Former title complexity note: Give a separate 547 "Title history" note in addition to the 247 field only if the situation requires more explanation than can be given in the 247 field. (LCRI)

Frequency of Updates: Always give a note for known frequency of updates, even if already apparent from the rest of the description.

• 310 - Current publication frequency. Examples:
  • 310 - Continuously updated
  • 310 - Updated irregularly, $b 2001-
• 321 - Former publication frequency

Dates of Publication: Make notes on beginning/ending dates of publication not recorded in 260 $c. (i.e. When not cataloging from first/last iteration.)
  362 1# - Unformated date of publication
    Example: 362 1# Began in 1987

Change in Main Entry: Make note for earlier responsible person in 500 or body in 550 note, if considered important. Required to justify 7XX if present. Includes dates to identify iteration.
  550 - Issuing body note

Again, I strongly recommend visiting Mr. Miller's website that I mentioned earlier. It contains both the changed descriptive cataloging rules and the new MARC tagging. Use the site to train yourself and your staff. While you do, enjoy the fact that these changes will be a little easier for you because you have been cataloging integrating resources all along.