Checking MARC Format

MARC format checking ensures the consistency and the quality of your MARC records. Polaris automatically checks MARC 21 tags when you save a record as final, but you can also check the MARC format before you save a record. When invalid tags and headings are detected, a list of the formatting problems appears.

Polaris MARC validation uses the rules set in the MARC Validation Bibliographic and MARC Validation Authority profiles. See Administering MARC Validation and Display for information about changing the validation tables. These system tables are based on rules outlined by the Library of Congress in the MARC 21 Standard Format For Bibliographic/Authority Data (ISBN 0-8444-0809-3). Refer to the appropriate Library of Congress document if you have any questions about MARC 21 format concepts and standards.

Depending on the MARC validation options set by your organization in Polaris Administration, you may or may not see validation messages for required, obsolete, or conditional content designators Tags, indicators, and subfield codes in a MARC record.. You may choose not to correct invalid tags due to time constraints or local library policy.

Note:
The Leader and 008 tag are required when saving or importing bibliographic records, even if MARC validation is turned off.