Skip to main content
OCLC Support

Exercise answer key

Find the Z39.71 exercise answer keys.

Exercise 1: Identify Z39.71 Data Elements

For each piece of information given below, identify the Z39.71 data area and, when applicable, the data element or elements. The first one has been completed for you as an example.

Information Data area Data element(s)
Holdings is 60% complete General Holdings Completeness designator
Library has more than one copy Location Data Copy Number
Subscription is no longer active General Holdings Acquisition Status Designator
Library retains last 5 years General Holdings Retention Designator
Library owns volumes 1 to 10 Extent of Holdings Name of Unit, Enumeration
Library owns 1990-1999 Extent of Holdings Chronology

Exercise 2: Interpret Z39.71 Holdings Records

Look at the following holdings records. Then, identify the data areas/data elements and answer the questions. For this set of exercises, the library code is W7L.

  1. The item is a multi-volume monographic set, and the ISBN is 0-252-18123-1. The subscription is complete (i.e., has come to an end).
                                                                                    0252181231 W7L 19890524 (a,ta,4,2,8) v.1-v.20
    1. How is the library linking to the bibliographic record in the Item Identification Area?
                By the ISBN.
    2. What level is this holdings statement?   Note: The level is not explicitly stated.
                Level 3 OR Summary level
    3. When was this holdings record last modified?
                On May 24, 1989
    4. Which data element(s) are reported in the Location Data Area?
                Institution identifier (aka "library code")
  2. The item is a printed text. The library also subscribes to the microform version. The ISBN is 0-904351-114, and the Call Number started with PZ.
                                                                    0904351114 W7L C2 PZ7.D684 A1 1997 19970303 (a,ta,0,0,8)
    1. What data elements has the library reported in the Location Data Area?
                Institution identifier, copy number, and call number
    2. Based on the previous answer, what copy does this holdings record represent, and what call number is it shelved in?
                Copy 2 is the copy, and the call number is PZ7.D684 A1 1997
  3. The item is a multi-part videocassette. In the library's OPAC, the bibliographic record the item links to is 0054378.
                                    0054378 W7L HN535.2M2J68 19940525 (a,vf,2,0,8) No.1-No.14 VHS. Does not circulate
    1. How is the library linking to the bibliographic record in the Item Identification Area?
                By bibliographic record number (005438)
    2. Is this library classifying its videocassettes?
                Yes
    3. What is the last Date Area listed? And what does it indicate?
      Extra challenge: In what Data Element is the code for the item's physical form, and can you guess the code for a videocassette? 
       Note: The actual codes are listed in Z39.71 standard and are not listed in the Holdings Primer. The Z39.71 standard can be downloaded from the NISO website.
                The code is in the Physical Form Designator, and the actual code is vf

Exercise 3: Form and Level of Holdings

For the following holdings records, more specifically the Extent of Holdings Data Area, determine both the form and the level of holdings. The first one has been completed for you as an example.

Holdings record Nivel Form
v.1-8(1193-1996) Summary Compressed
v.108:no.1-v.108:no.18 Detailed Compressed
1990,1995,1996,1997 Summary Itemized
1908:Jan. 1908:Feb. 1908:March Detailed Itemized
v.78(1983)- Summary Compressed

Extra challenge:

v.22:no.1-v.22:no.6,v.23:no.1,
v.23:no.2,v.23:no.3

Detailed Mixed

Exercise 4: Code Z39.71 Holdings Records

Library W7L owns one copy of the serial Discover. The ISSN is 0344-8577. The subscription is current, and it began in 1990 with volume 26. The library links its serial holdings to the bibliographic record with the ISSN. Based on this information, code a basic holdings records with the date Jan. 1, 2008:

          0344-8577   W7L   C1   20080101   (a,ta,0,4,8)   v.26-(1990-)

Library W7L owns two copies of Time magazine. The ISSN is 0444-8731. The paper subscription is held for the current 3 years. The microform subscription began in 1971 and is current. The library links is serial holdings to the bibliographic record with the ISSN. Based on this information, code a basic holdings record for the microform with the date Jan. 1, 2008. The physical form Designator code for microform is hu:

          0444-8731   W7L   C2   20080101   (a,hu,0,4,8)   1971-