For collection-level cataloguing the following literature is available:

Collection-level records are entered into the input mask Z (collections).

A collection should be described within the short bibliographic record containing data which briefly describe and identify the collection as a whole. While generating artificial collections the title proper is most often used as a main entry heading.

Collection-level records are not designated for downloading.

On the following pages fields are described appearing within both COMARC/B and COMARC/H formats, which are used in a specific way for cataloguing collection-level records.

In subfield 001b – Type of record the code is entered relating to the type of material within a collection. If a collection contains more than one type of material, the code "m" – multimedia.

In subfield 001c – Bibliographic level the code "c" – collection.

In subfields 100bcd the information is entered relating to the publication date of the collection items. A collection can be completed or non-completed.

In a record for the completed collection, which was issued within one calendar year, codes "d", "e", "h", "i" or "j" are entered in subfield 100b – Type of publication date. In subfield 100c – Publication date 1 the publication year of collection items is entered.

If collection items were published for more than a year, the code "g" is entered in subfield 100b, the beginning year of publication is entered in subfield 100c and the final year of collection items publication is entered in subfield 100d – Publication date 2.

Collections with the uncertain year of publication are signified with the code "f" entered in subfield 100b. The earliest possible year of publication is entered in subfield 100c, and the latest possible year of collection items publication is entered in subfield 100d.

In a record for the non-completed collection the code "g" is entered in subfield 100b, and the publication year of the first item is entered in subfield 100c. At the first data entry, relating to the collection, the designation "9999" is entered in subfield 100d. An open first year of publication is entered in subfield 210d (e.g. 1999- ).

When entering new collection items the temporary last year of publication of the last received item is entered in subfield 100d. The temporary last year of publication is entered in subfield 210d (e.g. 1999-<2003>).

The code relating to the language of text of collection items is entered in subfield 101a – Language of text. If items were published in different languages, the code for the prevalent language is entered. Exceptionally, also other language codes may be entered in repeated subfields a.

The country code, eventually the locality code, is entered in field 102 – Country of publication or production. If collection items were published in different countries, the code for the prevalent country is entered. Exceptionally, also other country codes may be entered in repeated subfields a.

Coded data relating to the material are entered in accordance with the code for a specific material the collection is made of (they must correspond to the code entered in subfield 001b). Fields for all types of material are available, with exception of serials.

The collection title proper is mainly constructed by a cataloguer. The title proper is constructed in the language used by a cataloguing agency, having the form which clearly describes the collection and distinguishes it from the similar library material. Within the title the element is included and described which holds the collection together. Most often it is the name of a collection, the name of a creator, contents data, the name of a corporate body, language, geographic name or a genre.

The title is enclosed in square brackets "[ ]" in corresponding subfields within field 200 – Title and statement of responsibility. Since the title proper is most often the collection-level heading, the first indicator is set to "1".

The type of material is entered in subfield 200b – General material designation, with exception of printed material.

The data relating to the year of publication is most often entered in field 210 – Publication, distribution, etc., although software enables all subfields entry.

Physical details relating to the number of items are most often entered in subfield 215a – Specific material designation. If the material is being saved in containers or holders, the number of them is also stated.

If the collection contains different types of material, the information on each type of material is entered in repeated fields 215.

For ephemera the extent of items is estimated, i.e. the approximate extent of items is entered, e.g. "ca. 350 items".

For non-completed collections the current extent of items is enclosed in angle brackets "< >".

The information on illustrations etc. may be entered when the most items are illustrated. Size also may not be an important element. If included, a range is to be given.

Notes relating to the collection mostly refer to the source, organization or the complexity of the collection. They also refer to conditions of use or to the collection contents.

In the case of a big collection, or when collection items have no usual bibliographic data, common information relating to the collection contents is entered in field 300 – General note.

A contents note may be entered when separate items contains significant titles and/or authors. Data is entered in field 327 – Contents note in accordance with instructions relating to that field.

The assigned subject headings serve as a thematic means of access to a collection which is the most important one for the users. Subject headings are being created with the intention of the collection subject cataloguing. There is no limit to the number of subject headings that may be assigned, but, in the cases of collections constructed for reasons of economy in processing, a reasonable limitation should be observed.

Subject headings that may be assigned contain phrases that help us to place the collection together with other related material. The cataloguer may also provide the level of specificity of subject headings and phrases which are well-known to the users.

Subject headings may be entered in fields 600–609, if one of the standard subject heading system is used, or in field 610, if uncontrolled subject terms are used.

UDC access (675c) is mandatory data in this block. With one UDC access number the whole collection is being described.

When all collection items are documents of one corporative author (or rarely of one individual author), its name is entered in field 700/710.

When collection contains documents written by two or three individual authors (or two corporate bodies), the information on the well-known or more represented author is entered in field 700/710.

When collection is known by its compiler, his name followed by the corresponding code is entered in field 702.

Artificial collections are most often made of anonymous works or of works by different authors, i.e. of the combination of both anonymous works and works by different authors. In such cases collection-level records do not contain fields 700 and 710.

A collection holdings data are entered in field 996 – Holdings data. The input mask Z does not contain field 997 – Holdings data for serials.

An artificial collection is regularly inventoried as a whole. If a collection contains multimedia, which is shelved separately, an inventory is made regarding the number of existent items. The inventory for more extensive collections, which are saved in different containers or maps, is made the same way.

If there are more copies of a collection, the information on each copy is entered in repeated fields 996.