In a MARC record, what does field 263 indicate?

Field 263 in a MARC (Machine-Readable Cataloging) record specifically refers to the projected publication date of a resource. This field is used to indicate the anticipated date when a resource will be made available for publication. Including this information helps libraries and catalogers manage their collections and inform patrons about upcoming materials that may be of interest.

The significance of this particular field lies in its ability to provide foresight for libraries when planning acquisitions or informing patrons about future items they can expect. For example, if a new book is scheduled for release in the near future, the projected publication date can help libraries prepare for its arrival, enabling better resource allocation and marketing of the title to potential readers.

In contrast, the other fields listed in the options serve different purposes: the author's name is typically found in a different designated field (usually field 100 or 700, depending on whether it's a main author or a contributor), library location is indicated in a field that specifies the item's physical location within the library, and the ISBN number is recorded in field 020. Each of these fields is integral to cataloging but serves distinct roles that focus on specific aspects of a bibliographic record, demonstrating how varied the information in a MARC record can be.