MARC Formats

At the moment in Finnish libraries there are two different MARC formats in use: FINMARC and MARC 21. University and polytechnic libraries use the Voyager system + MARC21. Most public libraries use Finnish library systems + FINMARC, but there are also Millennium + MARC 21 users among them.

Various conversions are needed in the cooperation between libraries nationally and internationally. A conversion tool called USEMARCON is in use, and much development work on it has been and is being done at the National Library of Finland.
The graphic user interface USEMARCON GUI is also developed here. Both programs are available on the USEMARCON page, and the conversion tables used in Finland are available via the Finnish USEMARCON page.

Voyager libraries changed to MARC 21 in the year 2008. After that the plan is that all FINMARC users will also gradually move into MARC 21. The National Library of Finland is coordinating the conversions, trainings and directions.

For more information, contact

The National Library of Finland, Library Network Services
Ulla Ikäheimo
E-mail: marc-posti(at)helsinki.fi
Tel.: +358 9 191 44603
P.O.Box 26, FI-00014 University of Helsinki