049 OCLC local holding codes

Summary: Guide for catalogers on OCLC local holdings codes in the 049 field, which are associated with MSUL locations and collections and are to be used in OCLC records at the point of cataloging. 

About the 049

Though it is not officially part of the MARC21 standard, the 049 code still operates in the MARC record by triggering some important functions at the point of cataloging. It's a 4-character code defined by OCLC for subscriber libraries, and in our case each code identifies one location or collection within the MSU Libraries.

The 049:

• generates specific holdings information used by the public WorldCat database and some ILS processes (upon setting holdings)
• is used by Sierra to automatically generate the bib record location code (upon export)
  • this is just a time-saving function for catalogers, so you don't have to edit this data manually after export 

  • Example: Exporting from OCLC with 049 of EEMB results in bib location code of bu in Sierra record

    In some cases, the 049 code does not generate the correct Sierra location code, and these must be changed manually in Sierra after export (see chart below)

• defaults to EEMR when editing a record in Connexion
• is not preserved in the OCLC master record
• is retained in the exported record in Sierra
  • but serves no function in our local database, aside from incidental inventory and reporting purposes
    
    

If upon the point of cataloging you include an incorrect 049 code, the consequences are minimal. You will just need to:

• remove holdings from the OCLC master record, correct the 049, and reattach holdings
• adjust the bib location field in the Sierra record to reflect the correct location in our local catalog
• adjust the 049 in the Sierra record to reflect the correct OCLC code
  • while this step isn't technically necessary for any Sierra functionality, it reduces confusion

Locations & their 049 codes

*These locations do not have a unique 4-letter 049 code. Use EEMR and after export, change the bib location to the correct two-letter code as noted.