I'll take a stab at helping you with MARC21. ******************************** 1. In our old cataloguing structure, when we catalogued encyclopedias, for example, we would classify them as COLLECTIVE. These were the fields used: 021: Volume Number 023: Personal Author 024: Corporate Author 025: Title 027: Total Number of Volumes I have visited many libraries' websites using Koha, and have noticed some differing fields being used for encyclopedias. Does the title of an encyclopedia go under the normal 245 field, and so on? I also noticed some libraries using field 300, subfield a (Extent), to record how many volumes are in that particular set, while other libraries used the field 520, subfield a (SUMMARY) to record their volume amount. ***************************************** While MARC21 is a standard, many libraries also have local adaptations. I know, I know, these practices make the standard less than a standard . yes, 245 is the title field in MARC21. That should be where the title is entered. The 300 field, subfield a is the extent of the item. Volumes, pagination, etc. are entered in this subfield. Subfield b is illustrative matter. Subfield c is size. 520 is summary, so I'm not sure why volumes are entered in that field in some records as there are note fields for Contents (505). The Holdings fields are generally in the 8xx fields. *************************************** 2. What fields do periodicals use in Koha when you catalogue them? In our old format, we classified them as SERIALS, with different fields as well. ********************************* yes, there are different fields that you can use for serials, but all fields are available for all formats. ******************************* 3. Are the control fields needed when I catalogue a book? ******************************** The control fields are useful, but I haven't used them much in local searching in many different automation systems. Some of these control fields are used for limiting searches, but there are workarounds employed if your system does not support them. You also have the option of adding these fields back into the Koha paramaters if you feel you need them. ************************** I'm willing to do some limited telephone consultations on MARC cataloging in Koha. Lenora -- *************************************** Lenora A. Oftedahl, MLS MEPM StreamNet Regional Librarian Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission 729 NE Oregon St, Ste 190 Portland, OR 97232 503-736-3581 / ARIEL: 207.173.155.8 503-731-1260 FAX OFTL@critfc.org http://www.fishlib.org ************************************* "One by one, the penguins are stealing my sanity" ************************************** "Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." --(Charles Schultz) ************************************** "The problem with adults is that they are contaminated by experience." --Kumi Naidoo, General Secretary and CEO of CIVICUS **************************************