General Comments
Aimed at helping in the creation and interpretation of MARC bibliographic records for serials, this guide focuses on how serial MARC records differ from records for other formats. While continuing resources include both serials and integrating resources such as looseleafs or websites, this guide discusses serials only. Cataloging Serials involves an understanding of both the MARC codes and cataloging rules and practices. Although cataloging rules and practices are referred to, the main focus of this guide is on MARC coding, and not all subfields are always covered.
Serials cataloging rules and practices have changed over the years, so records created based on older rules and practices still exist. The most recent major revision to AACR2 Chapter 12 occurred in 2002. Some older practices are still considered valid while others are not, therefore it is important to be familiar with both current and previous rules and practices. When copy cataloging consider whether the record needs upgrading. New records should be cataloged according to current rules, standards, and practices.
This guide relied heavily on other sources, especially Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data , OCLC's Bibliographic Formats and Standards , and CONSER documentation. Other sources either consulted in developing this guide or suggested as resources for further information are listed at the end of this document, see: RESOURCES.
CONSER
CONSER practices are useful guidelines followed by both CONSER and non-CONSER libraries, so they are included here. CONSER has adopted a new standard for creating records. This "Standard Record" describes the minimal requirements for a new serial record. It is important to be familiar with this, since many new records found in OCLC may follow this standard.
See:
CONSER Standard Record Documentation , the CONSER Standard Record Cheat Sheet or the CONSER Standard Record for Serials (powerpoint).
Title Changes
Another significant change since 2002 has been new rules regarding title changes and when to create new records. Although these new rules are not discussed in depth it is recommended that one become familiar with them. While new records should be created according to the new rules, older records created under older rules that were valid when they were created can still be used. The following sources are helpful to understanding the current title change rules:
Electronic Journals
The MARC fields important to electronic journals are included, but since this guide is focused on MARC coding the rules on how to catalog electronic resources are not discussed in depth.
Reproductions
Cataloging serial reproductions is not covered in this document. CONSER discusses them in Chapter 17 of the
CONSER Cataloging Manual.
Not all the codes in the 008 are discussed here.
See the following for additional information:
|
Type "a" for textual material use "a" for electronic journals also |
ELvl |
Srce | GPub | Ctrl | Lang | . |
|
BLvl "s" for Serial "i" is used for Integrating Resources |
Form Form of item use "b" for microfiche use "a" for microfilm use "s" for electronic |
Conf |
Freq Current frequency See OCLC documentation for codes |
MRec | Ctry | . |
|
S/L Successive or Latest Entry Cataloging Current practice is to use code 0 for Successive Entry |
Orig | EntW |
Regl "r" for published regularly. See OCLC documentation for other codes |
Alph | . | . |
|
Desc |
SrTp Type of Serial "p" for periodical "n" for newspaper See OCLC documentation for others. |
Cont |
DtSt Date Status "c" for currently published "d" for not current (dead) |
Dates Based on the 362* |
Date1 date of first issue (chronological designation on piece)* |
Date2 date of last issue (chronological designation on piece)* |
Enter the ISSN in this field. ISSNs are assigned to titles by national ISSN centers. For more about ISSN, see the U.S. ISSN website or the ISSN website.
Values are blank
Repeatable.
Information on additional subfields can be found at Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
Values are blank
Codes to look for:
Rarely used in Serials. See LCRI 21.1A2 for usage.
Values are blank
Information on additional subfields can be found at Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
Used only when work emanates from the corporate body (Eg. annual report) not just when work published or sponsored by corporate body. See 21.B2 of AACR2. If a conference name is subordinate to a corporate body it is entered as a 110.
Values are blank
Information on additional subfields can be found at Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
Used when a conference name is determined to be the Main Entry.
If a conference name is subordinate to a corporate body it is entered as a 110.
Authorized (controlled) name headings should be used. See Fritz, AACR2, and CONSER documentation.
Subfields are in this order a, n, p, d, c.
Make note of punctuation.
Values are blank
Punctation: Enclose text inside beginning parenthesis. Subfield on outside.
Punctuation: Fields ends with closed parenthesis.
ExampleThe 130 is used differently for serials than for monographs. It serves to distinguish titles. It is mainly used to distinguish records for publications with the same title using qualifiers. Qualifiers such as place of publication, dates or format are used to create a distingushing title.
Values are blank
Title and qualifiers are all entered in subfield a.
See also:
MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data (Main Entries)
MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data (Uniform Titles)
Supplied by ISSN center based on 222 (Key Title).
Unique title linked to the ISSN. Assigned by ISSN centers only. Additional information can be found at Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
The 240 is used as a uniform title when a 1xx already exists in the record such as a corporate author.
This field is the standard 245 field. Remember with serials the 245 is taken from the first or earliest available issue. This information is tied to the 362. When not cataloged from the first issue, it is linked to a 500 note. Many serials do not have title pages. In such cases, source of title needs to be stated in a 500 note
Additional subfields can be found at Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
The term "Note" can be interpreted as "Displays in OPAC." The term "Added Entry" can be interpreted as "Indexed." If you want the title to be searchable, choose either 1 or 3. Be sure to test your local system to see how titles and notes display in the OPAC. See Fritz and the CONSER Editing Guide.
ValuesThese values below (sometimes called "captions") may display in the OPAC. Be sure to test your local system. See also Bibliographic Formats and Standards.
ValuesThe most common subfields are listed below. See Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data or Bibliographic Formats and Standards for additional subfields.
There are no non-filing indicators for the 246 field. When entering a varying title drop initial articles.
Used with second indicator 2 to indicate which title is involved.
If none of the other captions are appropriate, free text can be used with second indicator #
It should not be used with Successive Entry cataloging of Serials. Previously the 247 was used under Latest Entry cataloging of serials. The 245 was updated as titles changed. The 247 field can currently be used for Integrating Resources. See CONSER website for more information about Integrating Resources.
For Serials the edition statement is used to distinguish different editions of the entire serial run such geographic, interest groups, formats, or languages. Examples: a Student's edition from a Teacher's edition or the North American edition from the South American edition.
Statements such as "1st edition" generally are recorded as enumeration in the 362.
Values are blank
CONSER Standard Record practices are described.
Values are not yet implemented
Values are blank
Note: records created before 2002 may have a comma following the publisher name and before a non-existent subfield c, as this was the practice when cataloging was done without the first or last issue in hand.
Dates are not required to be supplied by originally created CONSER Standard Records. See the 362 field for more information about dates.
Values are blank
Non-completed titles (publication ongoing)
Completed titles (ceased titles)
Such as illustrations, maps etc.
This is tied to the fixed field Freq.
Values are blank
If no 321, spell out the number, if one or more 321's then use numbers
Values are blank
Beginning and/or ending designations of the run of the title. Shows the run of the title, NOT local holdings, and not usually publication dates, which are in the 260. There are two ways this information can be represented: Formatted and Unformatted. The first indicator is used to code the style used.
Prior to the CONSER Standard Record dates were entered as Formatted or Unformatted. A record may have one of each, but not two of the same style.
The CONSER Standard Record practice is to always use the Unformatted style. See CONSER Standard Record Documentation.
ValuesNot repeatable. Combine begin and end dates if necessary.
Values are blank
Enter publication designations here. Use parentheses for chronological information if given in addition to sequential designations. See Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
Used when the series statement transcribed from the piece is the same as the authorized form of the heading.
No corresponding 8xx is necessary.
Values are blank
Usually a subseries, which goes with the part in subfield p.
Series statement where the series is not traced, or is traced in a different form from what is on the piece, but is not a major title change for the series title.
Values are blank
Order of Note fields: according to CONSER practices 5xx notes are arranged in tag order except for 533 and 539, which follow all other 5xx notes. Notes for Serials Cataloging is an excellent source for many examples of serials notes, especially wording variations. See the CONSER Editing Guide for further examples.
The Note fields have been grouped into Major fields and Additional fields below.
CONSER Standard Record requires the following on all records:
Values are blank
Obsolete.
Previously used to specify where an item had been reviewed, indexed or cited. Chemical abstracts information is still maintained and some rare serial information still exists in serial records.
Used to show irregularities or peculiarities in publication numbering or patterns, report year coverage, or issued in parts information.
Values are blank
Indicates the presence of a reproduction or a related version or format. If a linking entry is paired with this note, use the 776.
Values are blank
A note used when the item cataloged is a reproduction of an original item. The description in the body of the record is of the original and characteristics of reproduction are recorded in the 533 note. Commonly used for microforms. Fixed field tag "Form of item" and an 007 should also be coded for the reproduction, not the original. See Use of fixed fields 006/007/008 and leader codes in CONSER records for more information.
Subfields a and b are mandatory. Subfields are input in the following order a,m,b,c,d,e,f,n,6,7
Values are blank
Manditory subfield.
Manditory subfield.
For serials, the beginning and ending dates of publication for the serial, preceding punctuation varies depending on whether this field is included.
For serials, include the number of fiche or film if it is complete
Series that the reproduction belongs to, enclosed in parentheses. Use an 8xx if appropriate.
Primarily for preservation masters, optional for the rest. See CONSER documentation for more details.
Used for recording system requirements and mode of access notes for direct and remote access computer serials and videorecordings.
Values are blank
Allows for the display of specific text indicated by the i.
Values are blank
Name of the script or code used. Not used if it is embedded in the subfield a information
Materials to which the language code applies
Note about former and current issuing bodies that are usually traced in a 710. Current issuing bodies are only included when not part of the title, or statement of responsibility. Includes notes about translating, editing, and compiling. Also for notes stating the title is and official publication of the issuing body. Commercial publisher changes are noted in a 500 note.
CONSER Standard Record does not require the use of a 550 or other notes to justify added entries.
Values are blank
Note describing relationships too complex for standard display constants in 7xx linking notes. Does not replace the 7xx except in special cases noted in the MARC documentation.
Values are blank
For local or library specific notes to be used in local system. Do not add to records in the OCLC database.
For serials this is used only for important bibliographies or discographies.
Values are blank
Note about participants and performers, for serials is usually only for video recordings and sound recordings.
Values are blank
Gives the type of report and the period it covers. Usually only subfield a is used.
Values are blank
Note characterizes the computer file aspects of the title. Includes both general descriptors (such as "text") and specific information (such as "hypertext".)
Values are blank
Note that describes the scope and contents of the material. In serials cataloging used only for notes that are preceded by the display constant "Summary."
Values are blank
CONSER does not use if 856 field is used.
Note that describes the intended audience of the serial. CONSER only uses quoted notes and specified indicators.
Values are blank
Records the geographic coverage of the serial, most often used with survey material. This information is also coded in the 052.
Values are blank
Used for supplements that are not cataloged on separate bibliographic records. See 770 or 772 field for supplements that are cataloged separately. See CONSER Editing Guide.
Values are blank
Used by the Library and Archives of Canada.
Used to record the name and address of the repository which controls the originals or duplicates of the materials described, if the repository is different from where the materials are held.
Values are blank
Note which includes numbers associated with funded projects.
Values are blank
OCLC note field. Paired with the 533 and encodes in OCLC the fixed field information that is described in the 533.
In OCLC used instead of 533 subfield 7. See Bibliographic Formats and Standards for more information.
Values are blank
See Bibliographic Formats and Standards for subfield information.Note is used only when 247's exist in a record. Is used when the 247 relationships are too complex to be understood just by the use of the 247. These are only used in older serial records using latest entry cataloging or current integrating resource records, but never in successive entry serial records.
Values are blank
Values are blank
A note indicating the volumes and or dates of indexes or finding aids specific to this title and whether it is included with the serial or must be purchased separately. This does not include indexing and/or abstracting resources for this title.
Values are blank
Note used to record the documentation about the contents or use of the serial.
Values are blank
Note which shows action to be taken on the materials listed, such as preservation or microfilming.
Values are blank
Other subfields are used as needed about the action. See MARC documentation.
Only the differences in Subject Fields usage for Serials are discussed here.
The major differences are in the use of the subfield v and x for Periodicals.
For additional information on indicator and subfield use, see the Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data or Bibliographic Formats and Standards.
Form subdivisions indicate what something is as opposed to what it is about. So the form is used when the title is a periodical as defined in H 1927 of the Subject Cataloging Manual. It is usually the last subdivision in the string.
This subfield is used when the title is about periodicals, such as Ulrich's.
Very rarely used in Serials. Usually only for editors or those responsible for issuing the serial.
Information on additional subfields can be found at Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
If a conference name is subordinate to a corporate body it is entered as a 710.
Information on additional subfields can be found at field 110 or Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
If a conference name is subordinate to a corporate body it is entered as a 710.
Information on subfields can be found at field 111 or Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
Use as additional title access points. Use a 730 when the added entry title appears in another bibliographic record or the name authority file. If the title does not appear in either, use a 740. In a 730, use the main entry form from the other record. Linking entries do not replace added entries. See AACR2.
CONSER Standard Record practice gives preference to linking entries and does not require added entries that would duplicate linking entries, except for translations and language editions. See CONSER Documentation for more information.
Title and qualifiers are all entered in subfield a.
Media qualifier. Do not use.
Information on additional subfields can be found at Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
Title and qualifiers are all entered in subfield a.
Information on additional subfields can be found at Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data.
A Linking Entry is a field which describes and links to another title, which usually has its own record. Records can be linked to former titles which do not have bibliographic records.
Linking entries do not replace added entries. See AACR2. However, CONSER Standard Record practice gives preference to linking entries and does not require added entries that would duplicate linking entries, except for translations and language editions. See CONSER documentation.
The most common Linking Fields used in Serials are described below. See the MARC documentation for information on fields 760, 762, 765, 767, 775, 777, 786 to determine which may be used and their order.
Record in this field a supplement or a special issue to the title in the 245. This field is paired with the 772 Parent Entry field. This can be considered to be a child entry to the title in the 245.
Record in this field the parent entry to the title in the 245. In other words, the title in the 245 of the record being worked on is the supplement of the 772 title. This field is paired with the 770 Supplement/special issue field.
If the title being cataloged (the title in the 245 field) is a constitutent unit (part of a larger unit), use this field to record the host item. Used only if the bibl level is set to b. This field is paired with the 774 Constituent Unit Entry.
Used to record a constituent unit of the title being cataloged (the title in the 245 field). This field is paired with the 773 Host Item Entry.
Used to link records for other physical forms of the title, such as microforms, or electronic resources.
Used to record the title(s) just prior to the title being cataloged. The nature of the relationship is recorded using the indicators and/or the 580 field. There may be more than one 780 in a record when complex relationships exist, such as splits and mergers.
Be sure to test your local system to see how titles and notes display in the OPAC
Values below can display in OPAC
ValuesTwo or more 780's would be used depending on the number of titles involved:
Additional information can be found at Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data. See the CONSER Editing Guide for subfield input order. See OCLC's Bibliographic Formats and Standards for subfield w input standards.
If preceding title has a name main entry it is entered here. See Bibliographic Formats and Standards for more information.
If preceding title has a 240, it is entered here. See Bibliographic Formats and Standards for more information.
Title from 245 is entered here. Be sure to test your local ILS to see how it handles the various subfields.
Usually the LCCN number and the OCLC number are entered. OCLC has an input standard for subfield w. See OCLC's website, 7XX fields: Bibliographic Formats and Standards.
ExamplesUsed to record the title(s) immediately following the one being cataloged. The nature of the relationship is recorded using the indicators and/or the 580 field. There may be more than one 785 in a record when complex relationships exist, such as splits and mergers.
Be sure to test your local system to see how titles and notes display in the OPAC
Values below can display in OPAC
ValuesTwo or more 785's would be used depending on the number of titles involved:
Two or more 785's would be used depending on the number of titles involved:
For the subfields see the 780 field. 780 Subfields
Used when none of the defined fields is appropriate. Usually a 580 note indicates the relationship.
Entries for series when the traced form differs from that on the piece. Usually paired with a 490. The 830 is the most common series added entry tag used with serials. For 800, 810, 811 see Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data or other MARC documentation.
See 440 and 490 for CONSER Standard Record information.
The most common subfields are shown below. For more see Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data or other MARC documentation.
Values are blank
Usually a subseries, which goes with the part in subfield p.
Holdings data, which is recorded in the bibliographic record. Not all systems use this.
For additional MFHD documentation see: Marc 21 Format for Holdings Data and NASIGuide: Serial Holdings.
Used to access electronic information. Basic subfields are listed below. See Marc 21 Format for Bibliographic Data or other MARC documentation for greater detail.
CONSER Standard Records contain generally-accessible links. Local or password protected links are not recorded in national level records.
Note that does not display in the OPAC
Fields used for local information. Check with your systems vendors to make sure they are not defined by them.
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