MARC::Doc::Tutorial 2.00

MARC::Doc::Tutorial is a documentation-only module for new users of MARC::Record.

SYNOPSIS

perldoc MARC::Doc::Tutorial

What is MARC?

The MAchine Readable Cataloging format was designed by the Library of Congress in the late 1960s in order to allow libraries to convert their card catalogs into a digital format. The advantages of having computerized card catalogs were soon realized, and now MARC is being used by all sorts of libraries around the world to provide computerized access to their collections. MARC data in transmission format is optimized for processing by computers, so its not very readable for the normal human. For more about the MARC format, visit the Library of Congress at http://www.loc.gov/marc/

What is this Tutorial?

The document you are reading is a beginners guide to using Perl to processing MARC data, written in the cookbook style. Inside, you will find recipes on how to read, write, update and convert MARC data using the MARC::Record CPAN package. As with any cookbook, you should feel free to dip in at any section and use the recipe you find interesting.

If you are new to Perl, you may want to read from the beginning.
The document you are reading is distributed with the MARC::Record package, however in case you are reading it somewhere else, you can find the latest version at CPAN: http://www.cpan.org/modules/by-module/MARC/. Youll notice that some sections arent filled in yet, which is a result of this document being a work in progress. If you have ideas for new sections please make a suggestion to perl4lib: http://www.rice.edu/perl4lib/.