Comparative Study of Iranmark Format in Rasa Software and Unimark Format for Serials

Purpose: This research has been carried out with the aim of comparatively studying Iranmark format and Unimark handbook for serials and making some suggestions for resolving the existing deficiencies in worksheet of national document organization and national library of Iran, in Rasa software. Methodology: This research has used library study. Samples to be studied included fields, markers, and the subsidiary fields of Unimark and Iranmark, whose classification and types were extracted from Unimark handbook. Also, 14 specific fields for serials were extracted from Unimark 2000 handbook as well as the updates 4 and 5 in this handbook, and translated. Afterward, the suggested format was prepared considering the specific fields identified by the researcher, mandatory fields of Unimark for all library resources, and general fields, in concordance with Rasa worksheet to assure that the desired fields have been applied to organization’s worksheet. This worksheet consisted of 102 fields. Findings: The study findings revealed that the five fields including fields 400 (series), 411(subsidiary series), 225 (series), 104 (paper identifier), and 073 (international paper code) in Unimark handbook do not exist in serials worksheet of national document organization and national library of Iran, and should be added to it. Additionally, findings showed that several fields have been changed in title, definition, application, and subsidiary fields, while there are several other fields with wrong translation which must be corrected. Finally, a worksheet is suggested whose 102 fields consist of 14 serials specific fields, 5 mandatory Unimark fields, and 83 general fields. Originality/Value: Journals are among the most important information resources essential for researchers and visitors of libraries and information centers, and librarians make effort for their selection and preparation, and providing appropriate services by them. Information value of journals is due to the point that typically the latest news and results of scientific studies are reflected in these resources. Hence, it is necessary to properly organize such resources in a coordinated way and pay sufficient attention to their distribution and accessibility similar to printed monographs.