Information and documentation -- MarcXchange

This International Standard specifies the requirements for a generalized XML-based exchange format
for bibliographic records as well as other types of metadata.
It does not define the length or the content of individual records and does not assign any meaning to
tags, indicators, or identifiers, these specifications being the functions of an implementation format.
This International Standard describes a generalized structure, a framework designed primarily for
communication between data processing systems, but can also be relevant for use as a processing
format within systems.
MarcXchange could potentially be used as follows:
— for representing a complete MARC record or a set of MARC records in XML;
— for original resource description in XML syntax;
— as an extension schema to METS (Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard);
— for exchange of MARC records in XML;
— for transfer of MARC records in web services like SRU (search/retrieval via URL);
— for publisher transmission of data;
— as a temporary format in all kinds of data transformation or manipulation, e.g. conversion,
publication, editing, validation;
— for metadata in XML that can be packaged with an electronic resource.
Validation of MARC records content is not enforced by the schema but by dedicated software tailored for
the specific usage (e.g. the specific MARC-format).

Information et documentation -- MarcXchange

Informatika in dokumentacija - Oblika zapisa MarcXchange

Ta mednarodni standard določa zahteve za splošno menjalno obliko, ki temelji na XML, za bibliografske zapise in druge vrste metapodatkov.
Standard ne določa dolžine ali vsebine posameznih zapisov in ne določa pomena oznakam, kazalnikom ali identifikatorjem, pri čemer so te specifikacije funkcije izvedbene oblike. Ta mednarodni standard opisuje splošno strukturo, okvir, namenjen zlasti komunikaciji med sistemi za obdelavo podatkov, vendar je lahko primeren tudi za uporabo kot oblika obdelave znotraj sistemov.
Oblika zapisa MarcXchange bi se lahko uporabila na naslednje načine:
– za predstavitev celotnega zapisa MARC ali niza zapisov MARC v jeziku XML;
– za izvirni opis vira v sintaksi XML;
– kot razširitvena shema za METS (standard za prenos in kodiranje metapodatkov);
– za izmenjavo zapisov MARC v jeziku XML;
– za prenos zapisov MARC v spletnih storitvah, kot je SRU (iskanje/preiskovanje prek URL-ja);
– za prenos podatkov izdajatelja;
– kot začasna oblika v vseh vrstah spreminjanja in prirejanja podatkov, kot so npr. pretvorba,
objava, urejanje, potrjevanje;
– za metapodatke v jeziku XML, ki jih je mogoče pakirati z elektronskim virom.
Potrjevanja vsebine zapisov MARC ne vsiljuje shema, ampak namenska programska oprema, prilagojena za posebno uporabo (npr. specifična oblika MARC).

General Information

Status
Published
Public Enquiry End Date
16-Nov-2014
Publication Date
23-Nov-2014
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
17-Nov-2014
Due Date
22-Jan-2015
Completion Date
24-Nov-2014

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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 25577
Second edition
2013-12-15
Information and documentation —
MarcXchange
Information et documentation — MarcXchange
Reference number
ISO 25577:2013(E)
©
ISO 2013

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2013
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 XML schema exchange of MARC records . 3
4.1 General . 3
4.2 Structure of XML schema . 4
Annex A (informative) The generic MarcXchange schema . 6
Annex B (informative) Examples . 9
Annex C (informative) Applications of the generic MarcXchange schema .17
Bibliography .18
© ISO 2013 – All rights reserved iii

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers
to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 46, Information and Documentation, Subcommittee
SC 4, Technical interoperability.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition. Yet valid first edition records will be compliant
with this second edition of the standard.
iv © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

Introduction
In 2001, the US Library of Congress developed a framework for working with MARC data in an XML
environment. The core of the framework is a MARCXML schema that allows lossless round-trip
conversion of an ISO 2709 MARC 21 record and an XML-encoded MARC 21 record.
MARCXML is tightly coupled to ISO 2709. It was obvious to generalize this to an XML-based alternative
for ISO 2709 such that any existing format based on ISO 2709 could be represented.
This International Standard describes a schema which is a generalized version of, and with as few
changes as possible to, MARCXML but which retains the original MARCXML structure. The resulting
schema is an XML extension to ISO 2709. Thus, the original elements of MARCXML are reused and
verbal links to the terminology of ISO 2709 have been added. MarcXchange is useable as a framework
for conversion of all records using the ISO 2709 syntax into XML. Extensions to MarcXchange might be
required to retain the definition and application of fields, subfields, and control characters employed in
data representation techniques specific to implementations of ISO 2709. The international exchange of
records uses local variations of internationally recognized formats as much as it uses internationally
recognized formats in the precise way in which they are prescribed for international exchange.
MarcXchange, as an internationally recognized format, is mainly intended as a framework for making
local schemas, or to which local extensions can be added. Experience has shown that there is a need for
local deviations – even if MARC 21 or UNIMARC is chosen as the local format. This schema provides a
specification for the development of local specific schemas, ensuring compatibility.
The relationship of the schema described in this International Standard to MARC and ISO 2709 are as
follows.
— The XML schema is constructed to contain MARC data.
— The schema can be used for the exchange of MARC records or to act as a “bus” to enable MARC data
records to go through further transformations such as to Dublin Core and/or processes such as
validation.
The basic components of ISO 2709 are treated in the following way in the XML schema.
— The record label is treated as a simple string.
— The directory has no counterpart in the schema; when converting from MarcXchange to ISO 2709
the directory has to be recalculated.
— The record identifier field and the control fields are treated as elements with the tag as an attribute.
— Data fields are treated as elements with the tag and indicators as attributes.
— Subfields are treated as sub-elements with the subfield code as an attribute.
© ISO 2013 – All rights reserved v

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 25577:2013(E)
Information and documentation — MarcXchange
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies the requirements for a generalized XML-based exchange format
for bibliographic records as well as other types of metadata.
It does not define the length or the content of individual records and does not assign any meaning to
tags, indicators, or identifiers, these specifications being the functions of an implementation format.
This International Standard describes a generalized structure, a framework designed primarily for
communication between data processing systems, but can also be relevant for use as a processing
format within systems.
MarcXchange could potentially be used as follows:
— for representing a complete MARC record or a set of MARC records in XML;
— for original resource description in XML syntax;
— as an extension schema to METS (Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard);
— for exchange of MARC records in XML;
— for transfer of MARC records in web services like SRU (search/retrieval via URL);
— for publisher transmission of data;
— as a temporary format in all kinds of data transformation or manipulation, e.g. conversion,
publication, editing, validation;
— for metadata in XML that can be packaged with an electronic resource.
Validation of MARC records content is not enforced by the schema but by dedicated software tailored for
the specific usage (e.g. the specific MARC-format).
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 2709, Information and documentation — Format for information exchange
ISO/IEC 646, Information technology — ISO 7-bit coded character set for information interchange
ISO/IEC 10646, Information technology — Universal Coded Character Set (UCS)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
© ISO 2013 – All rights reserved 1

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

3.1
MAchine-Readable Cataloguing
MARC
family of format standards for the storage and exchange of bibliographic records and related information
in machine-readable form
Note 1 to entry: All MARC standards conform to ISO 2709.
3.2
collection
set of records
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a root element named “collection”.
Note 2 to entry: The terms root element, element and attribute are in line with the definitions in XML. The term
sub-element is used for an element which is the content (or child) of another element (the parent).
3.3
record
collection of fields, including record label, directory and data
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a root element named “record”. It can occur alone or as a
sub-element of the “collection” element.
3.4
format
specification of the information content of record label, control fields, data fields, indicators and subfields
of an ISO 2709 record
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, an attribute, named “format”, of the “record” element is used to specify the MARC
format used in the particular record.
3.5
type
sub-application of format
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, an attribute, named “type”, of the “record” element is used to specify the application.
EXAMPLE Bibliographic record, holdings record.
3.6
record label
field occurring in an ISO 2709 record
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a sub-element, named “leader”, of the “record” element.
3.7
directory
index used in ISO 2709 records
3.8
control field
record identifier field or reference field in ISO 2709
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a sub-element, named “controlfield”, of the “record” element.
3.9
data field
type of field in ISO 2709
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a sub-element, named “datafield”, of the “record” element.
2 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

3.10
tag
three characters associated to a control field or a data field in ISO 2709 and used to identify it
Note 1 to entry: In the schema represented by an attribute, named “tag”, of the “controlfield” element and the
“datafield” element.
3.11
indicator
data element in a data field in ISO 2709
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by attributes, named “ind1”, …, “ind9”, of the “datafield” element.
3.12
subfield
part of a data field in ISO 2709
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a sub-element, named “subfield”, of the “datafield” element
3.13
subfield identifier
data element consisting of a control code followed by from zero to eight characters identifying a subfield
in an ISO 2709 record
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, the subfield identifier characters following (the control code) is represented by an
attribute, named “code”, of the “subfield” element.
4 XML schema exchange of MARC records
4.1 General
The generic schema is listed in Annex A. Examples of formatted records are listed in Annex B. References
to applications of the schema are listed in Annex C.
The MarcXchange schema supports XML markup of MARC records using terminology and element
names consistent with ISO 2709.
Though ISO 2709 does not address the notion of embedded fields, it is possible to define a hierarchical
structure based on subfields. To reflect this, MarcXchange can embed fields as well as whole records,
leaving it to the specific MARC-format to decide how to make use of this facility.
ISO 2709 defines the general structure illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — ISO 2709 general structure
An ISO 2709 record contains the following components:
a) a record label (fixed length);
b) a directory (variable length);
c) a record identifier field (variable length);
© ISO 2013 – All rights reserved 3

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

d) a number of reference fields (variable length);
e) a number of data fields (variable length);
f) a field separator, i.e. separator IS2 conforming to ISO/IEC 646, which terminates the directory and
each field;
g) a record separator, i.e. separator IS3 conforming to ISO/IEC 646, which terminates each record.
In MarcXchange, the element “leader” is used for the ISO 2709 record label. Part of the ISO 2709
record label (positions 0 to 4 “record length” and positions 12 to 16 “base address of data”), contains
information, which is only meaningful for the ISO 2709 record. It is recommended always to recalculate
this information when converting from MarcXchange to ISO 2709.
The ISO 2709 directory has no counterpart in MarcXchange. When converting from MarcXchange to
ISO 2709, this component has to be recalculated.
In the MarcXchange schema, the element “controlfield” is used for the ISO 2709 record identifier field
and reference field while the element “datafield” is used for ISO 2709 data field.
This schema is an extension to ISO 2709. It allows the usage of the “datafield” element for all legal
ISO 2709 tags, including 001 to 009, 00A to 00Z and 00a to 00z; and two attributes are introduced to
specify the content of a record, i.e. “format” to specify the MARC format and “type” to specify the kind
of record.
This schema states that subfield codes can consist of characters from ISO/IEC 10646, BMP row 00 (Basic
Latin and Latin-1 Supplement).
There is one restriction. A special mode (identifier length = 0) of ISO 2709 operates with data fields
without subfields. In the MarcXchange schema subfields are required, i.e. identifier length = 0 is not
supported.
4.2 Structure of XML schema
Figure 2 illustrates the structure of the MarcXchange schema. All elements have an optional attribute,
named id, inherited from MARCXML.
The following are the description of elements and attributes.
a) Collection: a top level container element for zero or many record elements.
b) Record: a top level container element for the leader element and all of the controlfield and datafield
elements which comprise the record. The record element has the following attributes:
1) Format (optional): identifies the MARC format (examples: MARC21, UNIMARC, danMARC2,
Ibermarc);
2) Type (optional): identifies the type of record (examples: bibliographic, authority, holdings,
classification and community).
c) Leader: corresponds to ISO 2709 record label, 24 octets.
d) Controlfield: corresponds to ISO 2709 record identifier field (tag 001) and reference fields (tags
002 to 009 and 00A to 00Z). The controlfield element has one attribute.
1) Tag (required): identifies the field (e.g. 008).
e) Datafield: can be used for all fields (tags 001 to 999 and 00A to ZZZ). It contains subfield elements.
The datafield element has the following attributes:
1) Tag (required): identifies the field (e.g. 245);
4 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

2) Ind1 to ind9 (optional): contain the indicator values.
f) Subfield: corresponds to ISO 2709 subfield. The subfield element has one attribute.
1) Code (required): corresponds to ISO 2709 subfield identifier.
g) Embeddeddata: can be used to contain an number of embedded fields (controlfields or datafields)
or a whole record. The embeddeddata element has the following attributes:
1) Format (optional): identifies the MARC format (examples: MARC21, UNIMARC, danMARC2,
Ibermarc);
2) Type (optional): identifies the type of record (examples: bibliographic, authority, holdings,
classification and community).
Figure 2 — MarcXchange general structure
© ISO 2013 – All rights reserved 5

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

Annex A
(informative)

The generic MarcXchange schema

attributeFormDefault="unqualified">


This generic schema refers to ISO 25577 MarcXchange:2012.
The MarcXchange schema may have been updated later. The latest version is found at
http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso25577/.


The schema supports XML markup of MARC records as specified in ISO 2709.
ISO 2709 defines the following general structure: Record Label - Directory - Record Identifier - Reference Fields -
Data Fields.
In the schema the element "leader" is used for ISO 2709 Record Label,
the element "control field" for ISO 2709 Record Identifier and Reference Fields,
and the element "data field" for ISO 2709 Data Fields.
The schema has no counterpart to ISO 2709 Directory.


Extensions and elucidations:
The schema allows the usage of "data fields" for all legal tags, including 001 to 009, 00A to 00Z and 00a to 00z.
Subfield codes may consist of characters from ISO 10646 BMP row 00 (Basic Latin and Latin-1 Supplement).
Tw o attributes are introduced to specify the content of a record - "format" to specify the MARC format, "type" to
specify the kind of record.
The schema allows embedded data. This option is to some extent possible in ISO 2709, but is not explicitly
addressed in the standard.




 collection is a top level container element for 0 or many records




record is a top level container element for all of the field elements which compose the
record




 





 
 
 







 ISO 2709 Record Label, 24 octets


6 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)


 
 




 
 




 ISO 2709 Record Identifier and Reference Fields


 
 
 
 




 




 
 




 
  ISO 2709 data fields with subfields and embedded data.
Embedded data may be a number of controlfields and datafields, or a number of records.
The given MARC-format specifies if and how the optional embedded data are used, and how it is related to ISO
2709.
 


 
 
 















© ISO 2013 – All rights reserved 7

---------------------- Page: 12 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)



 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 


 
 
  
  
 
 


 
 
 


 
 
 
 


 


8 © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 13 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

Annex B
(informative)

Examples
B.1 Example of a MARC 21 record in MarcXchange

XMLSchema-instance” xsi:schemaLocation=” info:lc/xmlns/marcxchange-v1 http://www.loc.
gov/iso25577/v1/marcxchange-1-1.xsd”>
 
   01142cam 2200301 a 4500
       92005291 
      DLC
      19930521155141.9
      920219s1993 caua j 000 0 eng 
      
           92005291 
      
      
          0152038655:
          $15.95
      
      
          DLC
          DLC
          DLC
      
      
          lcac
      
      
          PS3537.A618
          A88 1993
      
      
          811/.52
          20
      
      
          Sandburg, Carl,
          1878-1967.
      
      
          Arithmetic /
          Carl Sandburg ; illustrated as an anamorphic adventure by Ted
Rand.
      
      
          1st ed.
      
      
          San Diego:
          Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
          c1993.
      
      
          1 v. (unpaged):
          ill. (some col.) ;
          26 cm.
      
      
        One Mylar sheet included in pocket.
© ISO 2013 – All rights reserved 9

---------------------- Page: 14 ----------------------
ISO 25577:2013(E)

      
      
          A poem about numbers and their
          characteristics. Features anamorphic, or distorted, drawings
          which can be restored to normal by viewing from a particular
          angle or by viewing the image’s reflection in the provided
          Mylar cone.
      
      
          Arithmetic
          Juvenile poetry.
      
      
          Children’s poetry, American.
      
      
          Arithmetic
          Poetry.
      
      
          American poetry.
      
      
           ...

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST ISO 25577:2014
01-december-2014
Informatika in dokumentacija - Oblika zapisa MarcXchange
Information and documentation -- MarcXchange
Information et documentation -- MarcXchange
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 25577:2013
ICS:
35.240.30 Uporabniške rešitve IT v IT applications in information,
informatiki, dokumentiranju in documentation and
založništvu publishing
SIST ISO 25577:2014 en,fr
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

SIST ISO 25577:2014

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

SIST ISO 25577:2014
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 25577
Second edition
2013-12-15
Information and documentation —
MarcXchange
Information et documentation — MarcXchange
Reference number
ISO 25577:2013(E)
©
ISO 2013

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------

SIST ISO 25577:2014
ISO 25577:2013(E)

COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2013
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior
written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of
the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------

SIST ISO 25577:2014
ISO 25577:2013(E)

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 XML schema exchange of MARC records . 3
4.1 General . 3
4.2 Structure of XML schema . 4
Annex A (informative) The generic MarcXchange schema . 6
Annex B (informative) Examples . 9
Annex C (informative) Applications of the generic MarcXchange schema .17
Bibliography .18
© ISO 2013 – All rights reserved iii

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------

SIST ISO 25577:2014
ISO 25577:2013(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity
assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers
to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information
The committee responsible for this document is ISO/TC 46, Information and Documentation, Subcommittee
SC 4, Technical interoperability.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition. Yet valid first edition records will be compliant
with this second edition of the standard.
iv © ISO 2013 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------

SIST ISO 25577:2014
ISO 25577:2013(E)

Introduction
In 2001, the US Library of Congress developed a framework for working with MARC data in an XML
environment. The core of the framework is a MARCXML schema that allows lossless round-trip
conversion of an ISO 2709 MARC 21 record and an XML-encoded MARC 21 record.
MARCXML is tightly coupled to ISO 2709. It was obvious to generalize this to an XML-based alternative
for ISO 2709 such that any existing format based on ISO 2709 could be represented.
This International Standard describes a schema which is a generalized version of, and with as few
changes as possible to, MARCXML but which retains the original MARCXML structure. The resulting
schema is an XML extension to ISO 2709. Thus, the original elements of MARCXML are reused and
verbal links to the terminology of ISO 2709 have been added. MarcXchange is useable as a framework
for conversion of all records using the ISO 2709 syntax into XML. Extensions to MarcXchange might be
required to retain the definition and application of fields, subfields, and control characters employed in
data representation techniques specific to implementations of ISO 2709. The international exchange of
records uses local variations of internationally recognized formats as much as it uses internationally
recognized formats in the precise way in which they are prescribed for international exchange.
MarcXchange, as an internationally recognized format, is mainly intended as a framework for making
local schemas, or to which local extensions can be added. Experience has shown that there is a need for
local deviations – even if MARC 21 or UNIMARC is chosen as the local format. This schema provides a
specification for the development of local specific schemas, ensuring compatibility.
The relationship of the schema described in this International Standard to MARC and ISO 2709 are as
follows.
— The XML schema is constructed to contain MARC data.
— The schema can be used for the exchange of MARC records or to act as a “bus” to enable MARC data
records to go through further transformations such as to Dublin Core and/or processes such as
validation.
The basic components of ISO 2709 are treated in the following way in the XML schema.
— The record label is treated as a simple string.
— The directory has no counterpart in the schema; when converting from MarcXchange to ISO 2709
the directory has to be recalculated.
— The record identifier field and the control fields are treated as elements with the tag as an attribute.
— Data fields are treated as elements with the tag and indicators as attributes.
— Subfields are treated as sub-elements with the subfield code as an attribute.
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SIST ISO 25577:2014
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 25577:2013(E)
Information and documentation — MarcXchange
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies the requirements for a generalized XML-based exchange format
for bibliographic records as well as other types of metadata.
It does not define the length or the content of individual records and does not assign any meaning to
tags, indicators, or identifiers, these specifications being the functions of an implementation format.
This International Standard describes a generalized structure, a framework designed primarily for
communication between data processing systems, but can also be relevant for use as a processing
format within systems.
MarcXchange could potentially be used as follows:
— for representing a complete MARC record or a set of MARC records in XML;
— for original resource description in XML syntax;
— as an extension schema to METS (Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard);
— for exchange of MARC records in XML;
— for transfer of MARC records in web services like SRU (search/retrieval via URL);
— for publisher transmission of data;
— as a temporary format in all kinds of data transformation or manipulation, e.g. conversion,
publication, editing, validation;
— for metadata in XML that can be packaged with an electronic resource.
Validation of MARC records content is not enforced by the schema but by dedicated software tailored for
the specific usage (e.g. the specific MARC-format).
2 Normative references
The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 2709, Information and documentation — Format for information exchange
ISO/IEC 646, Information technology — ISO 7-bit coded character set for information interchange
ISO/IEC 10646, Information technology — Universal Coded Character Set (UCS)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
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3.1
MAchine-Readable Cataloguing
MARC
family of format standards for the storage and exchange of bibliographic records and related information
in machine-readable form
Note 1 to entry: All MARC standards conform to ISO 2709.
3.2
collection
set of records
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a root element named “collection”.
Note 2 to entry: The terms root element, element and attribute are in line with the definitions in XML. The term
sub-element is used for an element which is the content (or child) of another element (the parent).
3.3
record
collection of fields, including record label, directory and data
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a root element named “record”. It can occur alone or as a
sub-element of the “collection” element.
3.4
format
specification of the information content of record label, control fields, data fields, indicators and subfields
of an ISO 2709 record
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, an attribute, named “format”, of the “record” element is used to specify the MARC
format used in the particular record.
3.5
type
sub-application of format
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, an attribute, named “type”, of the “record” element is used to specify the application.
EXAMPLE Bibliographic record, holdings record.
3.6
record label
field occurring in an ISO 2709 record
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a sub-element, named “leader”, of the “record” element.
3.7
directory
index used in ISO 2709 records
3.8
control field
record identifier field or reference field in ISO 2709
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a sub-element, named “controlfield”, of the “record” element.
3.9
data field
type of field in ISO 2709
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a sub-element, named “datafield”, of the “record” element.
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3.10
tag
three characters associated to a control field or a data field in ISO 2709 and used to identify it
Note 1 to entry: In the schema represented by an attribute, named “tag”, of the “controlfield” element and the
“datafield” element.
3.11
indicator
data element in a data field in ISO 2709
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by attributes, named “ind1”, …, “ind9”, of the “datafield” element.
3.12
subfield
part of a data field in ISO 2709
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, this is represented by a sub-element, named “subfield”, of the “datafield” element
3.13
subfield identifier
data element consisting of a control code followed by from zero to eight characters identifying a subfield
in an ISO 2709 record
Note 1 to entry: In the schema, the subfield identifier characters following (the control code) is represented by an
attribute, named “code”, of the “subfield” element.
4 XML schema exchange of MARC records
4.1 General
The generic schema is listed in Annex A. Examples of formatted records are listed in Annex B. References
to applications of the schema are listed in Annex C.
The MarcXchange schema supports XML markup of MARC records using terminology and element
names consistent with ISO 2709.
Though ISO 2709 does not address the notion of embedded fields, it is possible to define a hierarchical
structure based on subfields. To reflect this, MarcXchange can embed fields as well as whole records,
leaving it to the specific MARC-format to decide how to make use of this facility.
ISO 2709 defines the general structure illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 1 — ISO 2709 general structure
An ISO 2709 record contains the following components:
a) a record label (fixed length);
b) a directory (variable length);
c) a record identifier field (variable length);
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d) a number of reference fields (variable length);
e) a number of data fields (variable length);
f) a field separator, i.e. separator IS2 conforming to ISO/IEC 646, which terminates the directory and
each field;
g) a record separator, i.e. separator IS3 conforming to ISO/IEC 646, which terminates each record.
In MarcXchange, the element “leader” is used for the ISO 2709 record label. Part of the ISO 2709
record label (positions 0 to 4 “record length” and positions 12 to 16 “base address of data”), contains
information, which is only meaningful for the ISO 2709 record. It is recommended always to recalculate
this information when converting from MarcXchange to ISO 2709.
The ISO 2709 directory has no counterpart in MarcXchange. When converting from MarcXchange to
ISO 2709, this component has to be recalculated.
In the MarcXchange schema, the element “controlfield” is used for the ISO 2709 record identifier field
and reference field while the element “datafield” is used for ISO 2709 data field.
This schema is an extension to ISO 2709. It allows the usage of the “datafield” element for all legal
ISO 2709 tags, including 001 to 009, 00A to 00Z and 00a to 00z; and two attributes are introduced to
specify the content of a record, i.e. “format” to specify the MARC format and “type” to specify the kind
of record.
This schema states that subfield codes can consist of characters from ISO/IEC 10646, BMP row 00 (Basic
Latin and Latin-1 Supplement).
There is one restriction. A special mode (identifier length = 0) of ISO 2709 operates with data fields
without subfields. In the MarcXchange schema subfields are required, i.e. identifier length = 0 is not
supported.
4.2 Structure of XML schema
Figure 2 illustrates the structure of the MarcXchange schema. All elements have an optional attribute,
named id, inherited from MARCXML.
The following are the description of elements and attributes.
a) Collection: a top level container element for zero or many record elements.
b) Record: a top level container element for the leader element and all of the controlfield and datafield
elements which comprise the record. The record element has the following attributes:
1) Format (optional): identifies the MARC format (examples: MARC21, UNIMARC, danMARC2,
Ibermarc);
2) Type (optional): identifies the type of record (examples: bibliographic, authority, holdings,
classification and community).
c) Leader: corresponds to ISO 2709 record label, 24 octets.
d) Controlfield: corresponds to ISO 2709 record identifier field (tag 001) and reference fields (tags
002 to 009 and 00A to 00Z). The controlfield element has one attribute.
1) Tag (required): identifies the field (e.g. 008).
e) Datafield: can be used for all fields (tags 001 to 999 and 00A to ZZZ). It contains subfield elements.
The datafield element has the following attributes:
1) Tag (required): identifies the field (e.g. 245);
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2) Ind1 to ind9 (optional): contain the indicator values.
f) Subfield: corresponds to ISO 2709 subfield. The subfield element has one attribute.
1) Code (required): corresponds to ISO 2709 subfield identifier.
g) Embeddeddata: can be used to contain an number of embedded fields (controlfields or datafields)
or a whole record. The embeddeddata element has the following attributes:
1) Format (optional): identifies the MARC format (examples: MARC21, UNIMARC, danMARC2,
Ibermarc);
2) Type (optional): identifies the type of record (examples: bibliographic, authority, holdings,
classification and community).
Figure 2 — MarcXchange general structure
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Annex A
(informative)

The generic MarcXchange schema

attributeFormDefault="unqualified">


This generic schema refers to ISO 25577 MarcXchange:2012.
The MarcXchange schema may have been updated later. The latest version is found at
http://www.loc.gov/standards/iso25577/.


The schema supports XML markup of MARC records as specified in ISO 2709.
ISO 2709 defines the following general structure: Record Label - Directory - Record Identifier - Reference Fields -
Data Fields.
In the schema the element "leader" is used for ISO 2709 Record Label,
the element "control field" for ISO 2709 Record Identifier and Reference Fields,
and the element "data field" for ISO 2709 Data Fields.
The schema has no counterpart to ISO 2709 Directory.


Extensions and elucidations:
The schema allows the usage of "data fields" for all legal tags, including 001 to 009, 00A to 00Z and 00a to 00z.
Subfield codes may consist of characters from ISO 10646 BMP row 00 (Basic Latin and Latin-1 Supplement).
Tw o attributes are introduced to specify the content of a record - "format" to specify the MARC format, "type" to
specify the kind of record.
The schema allows embedded data. This option is to some extent possible in ISO 2709, but is not explicitly
addressed in the standard.




 collection is a top level container element for 0 or many records




record is a top level container element for all of the field elements which compose the
record




 





 
 
 







 ISO 2709 Record Label, 24 octets


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 ISO 2709 Record Identifier and Reference Fields


 
 
 
 




 




 
 




 
  ISO 2709 data fields with subfields and embedded data.
Embedded data may be a number of controlfields and datafields, or a number of records.
The given MARC-format specifies if and how the optional embedded data are used, and how it is related to ISO
2709.
 


 
 
 















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Annex B
(informative)

Examples
B.1 Example of a MARC 21 record in MarcXchange

XMLSchema-instance” xsi:schemaLocation=” info:lc/xmlns/marcxchange-v1 http://www.loc.
gov/iso25577/v1/marcxchange-1-1.xsd”>
 
   01142cam 2200301 a 4500
       92005291 
      DLC
      19930521155141.9
      920219s1993 caua j 000 0 eng 
      
           92005291 
      
      
          0152038655:
          $15.95
      
      
          DLC
          DLC
          DLC
      
      
          lcac
      
      
          PS3537.A618
          A88 1993
      
      
          811/.52
          20
      
      
          Sandburg, Carl,
          1878-1967.
      
      
          Arithmetic /
          Carl Sandburg ; illustrated as an anamorphic adventure by Ted
Rand.
      
      
          1st ed.
      
      
          San Diego:
          Harcourt Brace Jovanovich,
          c1993.
      
      
          1 v. (unpaged):
          ill. (some col.) ;
          26 cm.
      
      
        One Mylar sheet included in pocket.
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