SERIALS A Quick Overview

There is much confusion about the difference between a series and a serial. There is much confusion about the difference between a series and a serial. AACR2r, which is what catalogers use as their standard reference, gives definitions for each. AACR2r, which is what catalogers use as their standard reference, gives definitions for each.

In AACR2r-speak, a series is defined as: 1.A group of separate items related to one another by the fact that each item bears, in addition to its own title proper, a collective title applying to the group as a whole. The individual items may or may not be numbered. 2.Each of two or more volumes of essays, lectures, articles, or other writings, similar in character and issued in sequence (e.g., Lowell’s Among my books, second series). 3.A separately numbered sequence of volumes within a series or serial (e.g., Notes and queries, 1 st series, 2 nd series, etc.).

Translation: Think in terms of popular series like The Baby-sitter’s Club or Goosebumps. These are characterized by being monographs (books), often written by the same person (Ann M. Martin, R. L. Stine). These are not published on a regular basis, but whenever the creator has written the next one.

Here’s how AACR2r defines a serial: A continuing resource issued in a succession of discrete parts, usually bearing numbering, that has no predetermined conclusion. Examples of serials include journals, magazines, electronic journals, continuing directories, annual reports, newspapers, and monographic series.

Translation: Travel guides (eg., Fodor’s Italy; Frommer’s Edinburgh & Glasgow, etc.) Education-related serials (eg., Peterson’s scholarships, grants & prizes; High school senior’s guide to merit and other no-need funding, etc.) Annual reports (eg., Annual report of the Librarian of Congress; Annual report of Carnegie Free Library and Carnegie Club of Braddock, Pa., etc.) Directories (eg., Directory of aging resources; Directory of Pennsylvania foundations, etc.) Magazines (eg., Time; Taste of home, etc.)

These are characterized by their publication frequency (ie., weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, bi-annually, etc.). Frequently the publisher changes, but this is not considered to be a major change for serial cataloging. What we are most concerned with is when the title changes. If the title on the record in Milcat is different from the item you have in your hand, you probably shouldn’t attach your holdings to that record. Instead, create a catreq or ask your local mentor for advice.

How to add serial items Find the right bibliographic record in Milcat, verifying that you have the correct title for the item in hand. Keep in mind that serials will not be entered by ISBN, so it is probably best to do a journal title or title search. Find the right bibliographic record in Milcat, verifying that you have the correct title for the item in hand. Keep in mind that serials will not be entered by ISBN, so it is probably best to do a journal title or title search. If you’ve found the right bib record, add your item record, keeping in mind that the edition, volume, part, etc., needs to be placed in the volume field. In other words, if you normally add the year to your call number, it should be placed in the volume field, not the call number field. If you’ve found the right bib record, add your item record, keeping in mind that the edition, volume, part, etc., needs to be placed in the volume field. In other words, if you normally add the year to your call number, it should be placed in the volume field, not the call number field. Please remember for travel guides that the year appears first in the volume field, not the editions or any other numbering that may be on your item. Please remember for travel guides that the year appears first in the volume field, not the editions or any other numbering that may be on your item.

How to add serial items (cont.) If you can’t find the right bib record or if you’re not sure whether your item is a title change, make a catreq as you do now. The data editors will look at it to determine whether it needs a new bib record or can be added to an existing one. Occasionally they may need to ask for your item to verify their decision. If you can’t find the right bib record or if you’re not sure whether your item is a title change, make a catreq as you do now. The data editors will look at it to determine whether it needs a new bib record or can be added to an existing one. Occasionally they may need to ask for your item to verify their decision. Refer to the list of mentors provided during this training if you want to ask for advice. If they can’t answer your question, they can refer you to someone who can. Refer to the list of mentors provided during this training if you want to ask for advice. If they can’t answer your question, they can refer you to someone who can.

Serial record do’s and don’ts A serial bib record can be identified in several ways: A serial bib record can be identified in several ways: -- In the Innovative fixed field at the top of the record, the Bib Lvl will be ‘s’ for serial. -- In the Innovative fixed field at the top of the record, the Bib Lvl will be ‘s’ for serial. -- Instead of an ISBN (020), they often have an ISSN (022). -- Instead of an ISBN (020), they often have an ISSN (022).  If you come across a record that looks like this and it matches your title, do use it. However, do not change the 300 field to make it look like a monograph, and do not add an ISBN (020).

-- Often you will see special 300 descriptive fields—ie., 310 for frequency, 362 for dates or sequences (1st ed., 2004 ed., etc.)

If you come across a record that looks like this and it matches your title, do use it. However, do not change the 300 field to make it look like a monograph, and do not add an ISBN (020). When serials change titles, the old one is closed and a new one is opened. A closed serial looks like this:

Do not use a record that looks like that. Only use records that are open. -- Here is an example of the continuation of the previous title, with the 362 indicating that it is open:

Sometimes, when a title is new, a cataloger will err on the side of caution and do it as a monograph if the frequency hasn’t been established. After a pattern is established, we will combine all the monograph items and put them on a single serial record. --Volume enumeration would be added to the item records in these cases. Any questions?