FIND A GAME
Sample MARC Record for Cataloging Games
Here at the game library, we are using a custom Drupal site for cataloging and circulating games. But we know that many others are looking to include games in their library catalogs and OPACS. That means MARC records...but how do you create a MARC record for a board game?
We accepted the challenge, and here is what we found along the way through the AACR2 and MARC rulebooks. Included below are our notes for field entries, as well as a sample record that you can import into your ILS to help build a template.
Board Game Specific MARC Fields:
AACR2 Chapter 10 (Realia) states that the chief source of information should be the object itself along with any accompanying material and the container. Even though some discussions of catalog board games look to the box for answers, as gamers we know that the rule book is the last item printed. It often contains errata for cards, boards, or other game materials. So when in doubt, we suggest that you defer to the rule book as it would be the last thing updated/refined.
Designer(s) = Statement of Responsibility (245:c) = Alan R. Moon
Format = Medium (245:h) = [game]
Edition/Printing = Edition Statement (250:a) = 1st Edition
[Only include the edition statement if there are clear differences between printings. E.g. some games have significant card or rule changes between editions that need to be noted. Otherwise, leave blank]
Physical Description = (300: a,c,e,f)
a = 1
c = in box 30 X 30 X 9 cm.
e = content/components of game
f = game
Playing Time = Playing Time (306:a) = 30-60 minutes
Recommended Ages = Target Audience Note (521:a 1) = Ages 8 and above
Players = General Note (500:a) = For 2-5 players
Full Designer Illustrator Credits = (508:a) = Illustrator, Julien Delval; graphic designer, Cyrille Daujean.
Game Description = Summary Note (520:a) = [A brief description often found on the box or in the rules or developed through cataloger summarization]
Language of Rules and Components = Creation/Production Credits Note (546:a) = English, French, or German
Game Awards = Awards Note (586:a) = Spiel des Jahres, 2004
Game Mechanics = Subject Added Entry (650:a,x)
a = Set Collection
x= Game Mechanic
Game Themes = Subject Added Entry (650:a,x)
a = Geogrpahy
x= North America
Game Type Denotation = Index Term - Genre/Form (655:a,v)
a = Game
v = Board Game or Card Game
Classification = Location (852:a,h,i)
a = Your Code
h = ??? (Box size, Publisher, Dewey)
i = Cutter (designer first, otherwise publisher)
