---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 09:14:20 -0500
From: "Caplan,Ellen" <caplane@OCLC.ORG>
Subject: OCLC MARC Bib Update & TB236

This message is being cross-posted to several electronic discussion lists.
Please excuse the duplication.

At the end of April 2000, OCLC will begin making changes to its
implementation of the MARC 21 bibliographic format.  Most of the changes
from Updates nos. 1-3 of _USMARC Format for Bibliographic Data_ and from
changes announced in _MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data_ will be
implemented.  Because there are a number of changes being made, OCLC will
implement the changes in this MARC Bibliographic Update project in phases.

Technical Bulletin 236 gives the details of all the changes for this MARC
Update.  It is available on OCLC's Web site at
http://www.oclc.org/oclc/tb/tb236/index.htm in both PDF and HTML versions.
In addition, OCLC will send print copies to OCLC libraries beginning the
week of March 20th.

The phased implementation begins in late April.  We are planning for a first
phase installation date of April 23rd.  This includes most of the MARC
format changes outlined in Technical Bulletin 236, code list changes, and
workform/record display and 006 prompt changes.  We anticipate a second
phase being installed on May 7th.  This includes the changes for Encoding
Levels '3' and '4'.  We do not have dates for other phases yet.  We will
notify OCLC libraries if there is any change to our planned installation
dates.  See Technical Bulletin 236 for complete details.

If you have any questions concerning the MARC Bibliographic Update, please
contact me.

Ellen Caplan
OCLC, Collections and Technical Services Division
800-848-5878
caplane@oclc.org