Page 96 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Unit 5: Management of Library Automation

(b) Directory: The directory is a table containing a variable number of 14 characters entries Notes
i.e. the length of each directory entry is of 14 characters terminated by a fixed separator
character. Each directory entry corresponds to a specific variable. Data fields in the record
are divided into four sub sections or parts, containing data for the following data element:

Tab
Length of the data field
Starting character position
Implementation defined section
(c) Data Fields: In the CCF a data field is defined as consisting of:

Indicator
Sub Fields: A sub field consists of a subfield identifier followed by a data string
which is terminated by either another sub field identifier or a field separator.

Field Separator: The field separator is that character which constitutes the final character
of every data field except for the final data field in the record.

Record Separator: The record separator is that character which makes the end of the
final data field in the record and constitutes the final character of the record.

Limitation of the CCF

CCF is not designed to meet the requirement of all types of libraries and information
organizations for local implementation. It is also not expected that institutes will use CCF
record format for internal storage and processing purpose. The major limitations of CCF are:
It is not sufficiently detailed in its definition and coverage of all data elements necessary
for creating a bibliographical database for an individual library.
It does not include its cataloguing rules nor does it align itself with any particular
cataloguing code or set of rules oriented towards a specific or fixed type of information
output form.
Except for standard CCF fields CCF recommends the use of alphanumeric code for tags
but it may not be possible to use alphanumeric code for tags in all cases (e.g. when library
system uses CDS/ISIS, this recommendation cannot be implemented).

Though in CCF further addition of the new data elements and their respective content
designator is possible, the unrestricted interpolation by different users can create
complication for exchanging data among libraries. In such cases, the content designators
of newly added data elements are likely to vary which may cause inconvenience for
exchanging data from one database to another.

5.2.4 Bibliographic Standards and the Internet

Since a large number of national bibliographies are being created using MARC format and even
individual libraries have large collections of MARC Records, it was felt necessary in today’s
world of INTERNET and World Wide Web that the format should be redefined in order to link
the digital objects from its bibliographic records. 111 orders to facilitate the better usage of
MARC in the digital age, certain programs have been developed to perform the mappings of
MARC 21 to other schemes, e.g., MARC 21 to SGML, MARC 21 to Dublin Core, etc.

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