020 – International Standard Book Number #
The ISBN is a unique number assigned to an item by its publisher. Each ISBN is a 10- or 13-digit number. Older publications may only have a 10-digit ISBN while newer publications may have both or just the 13-digit number.
Indicators & Subfields #
| 1st Indicators | 2nd Indicators | Subfields |
| # = Undefined | # = Undefined | $a = International Standard Book Number (ISBN) $q = Qualifying information |
Entry #
Enter the ISBN as it appears on the item in hand (if present) excluding any spaces or dashes within the $a. If the ISBN in the record contains dashes or spaces, remove them.
| Source Data | MARC Data |
 | In this example, we see the ISBN is listed as 978-0-7595-55402. For the 020 field, however, we need enter the ISBN without the hyphens. =020 \\$a9780759555402 |
Following the $a, use a $q to describe the item as it appears on the item. Allow for varying forms of entry.
=020 \\$a9780759555402$q(pbk)
=020 \\$a9780593128503$q(paperback)
Allowed Variations #
Consider your item a match to the record even if these variations occur:
If an ISBN is not in the MARC record, or one is in the MARC record but not on your item and everything else matches, consider it a match and add your holding. Add your item’s ISBN to the MARC if needed.
Rebound copies generally contain the same content as the original item except for a new ISBN. If the ISBN from the original publisher matches the ISBN in the record, attach your holding. The original ISBN can be found on the title page verso. If the ISBN for the new binding is not present on the record, add your item’s ISBN to the MARC. Include qualifying information in a $q.
=020 \\$a9780060518929$q(paperback)
=020 \\$a9781435287877$q(Paw Prints)
Occasionally books, particularly paperbacks, are re-released with a new cover. If the artwork date is the only difference, you may attach your holding.
022 – International Standard Serial Number #
“International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), a unique identification number assigned to a continuing resource (newspapers, magazines, etc.)” (Library of Congress, 2023). ISSNs are eight-digits long.
Indicators & Subfields #
| 1st Indicators | 2nd Indicators | Subfields |
| Level of international interest # = No level specified 0 = Continuing resource of international interest 1 = Continuing resource not of international interest | # = Undefined | $a = International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) $l = ISSN-L $m = Canceled ISSN-L $y = Incorrect ISSN $z = Canceled ISSN $2 = Source |
Entry #
Enter the ISSN as it appears on the item. Include the hyphen.
=022 0\ $a 0093-7673 $l 0093-7673 $2 1
=022 0\ $a 0145-0808 $z 0361-7106
Punctuation #
- Field 022 does not end with a period.
024 – Other Standard Identifier #
The 024 is used when a standard number or code is published on an item that cannot be accommodated in another field such as 020.
Indicators & Subfields #
| 1st Indicator | 2nd Indicator | Subfields |
| Type of standard number or code 1 = Universal Product Code (UPC)2 = International Standard Music Number (ISMN)3 = International Article Number (EAN) | Difference indicator # = No information provided0 = No difference1 = Difference | $a = Standard number or code$q = Qualifying information |
The 2nd indicator describes if there is a difference between what is scanned from the item and what is eye-readable (If the barcode scanned does not match the number below the barcode). Do NOT compare the UPC (or other number) to the ISBN if listed together.
Entry #
A UPC (Universal Product Code) is entered as it appears on the item in hand excluding any spaces or dashes. A 1st Indicator of 1 is used. If the UPC in the record contains dashes or spaces, remove them. Use a $q for qualifying information.
=024 1\ $a 786936899757 $q (DVD)
For combo pack records, or titles that are sold with multiple formats (usually Blu-ray and DVD formats in a single case), enter a 024 for both formats and use a $q for qualifying information if available.
Barcodes that have the code “EAN” are International Article Numbers. If this is on your item, use a 1st Indicator of 3 and enter the number without any spaces. If you scan the barcode and it matches the number listed on the item, enter a 2nd Indicator of 0.
| Source Data | MARC Data |
 | This example shows a sideways “EAN” to the left of the barcode. That tells us that it is not a UPC, but an International Article Number. We’ll use a 1st indicator of 3 and if when you scan the barcode it matches the number below it, use a 2nd Indicator of 0. =024 30 $a 9780759555402 |
Punctuation #
- Field 024 does not end with a mark of punctuation.
- Enclose qualifying information in parentheses.
- Enclose data in multiple occurrences of $q in one set of parentheses and separate individual occurrences of $q with a space, semicolon, space.
Allowed Variations #
Publishers and distributors of media frequently repackage materials and assign new UPCs without changing the content of the media. If the number in the 024 is the only difference, meaning all other tags in the record match your item in hand, consider the record a match and add your holding.
If the UPC for the repackaged material is not present on the record, add another 024 field with the UPC.
=024 1\ $a 883929084838
=024 1\ $a 085391724223
028 – Publisher or Distributor Number #
This is a formatted number used for musical sound recordings, nonmusical sound recordings, sound recordings, notated music, other music-related materials, and video recordings. The Publisher/Distributor number should match if present in the record. If it is not present in the record, but all other matchpoints between the record and item are the same, consider it a match and add your holding.
Indicators & Subfields #
| 1st Indicators | 2nd Indicators | Subfields |
| 0 = Issue number4 = Video recording publisher number5 = Other publisher number6 = Distributor number | 1 = Note, access point required2 = Note, no access point | $a = Publisher or Distributor number$b = Source$q = Qualifying information |
Entry #
Enter the Publisher/Distributor number as it appears on the item in hand. The 028 is repeatable. For combo pack records (multiple formats sold together, like DVD and Blu-ray discs of a single title), include a 028 for each format. In records containing punctuation, enclose data in a single occurrence of $q in parentheses. Enclose data in multiple occurrences of $q in one set of parentheses and separate individual occurrences of $q with a space, semicolon, space.
Videodiscs
=028 42 $a 242939 $b Disney $q (container)
=028 42 $a 8101727 $b Disney $q (Blu-ray)
=028 42 $a 8101729 $b Disney $q (DVD)
If the number in the 028 field is the only difference, consider the record a match and add your holding.
Punctuation #
- Field 028 does not end with a mark of punctuation.
- Omit any punctuation from the end of the field unless it ends with an ellipsis, hyphen, closing parenthesis, exclamation point, question mark, or period following an abbreviation.