POLICY
Last edited: June 27, 1984 (DISCUSSION DRAFT)
DEFINITIONS
A title or author/title access point may be provided in a bibliographic record to link groups of publications having common features: subject matter, publication source, authorship, etc. This series title or set title gives access to a related group of publications which contains several individual and distinctive documents.
The basic difference between a monographic series and an analyzed set is that the publication of the series is, in theory, not finite, while the publication of the set has an anticipated end, even if this is in the distant future. For processing purposes, the two types of publications are treated very similarly and the same policies basically apply to each.
MONOGRAPHIC SERIES
Processing policy. The preferred practice at Meriam Library is to treat individual titles in monographic series as separate publications. A bibliographic record for such a work will contain description and access points specific to the particular work. All works in a monographic series share a common access point, the entry for the series title or author/title.
Classification. Generally, items in a monographic series receive classification for the specific subject matter covered in that specific work rather than a general number.
For other categories of works, often those received on subscription or through a standing order plan, a decision has been made to assign a call number to the series as a whole; the call numbers for individual titles within the series are distinguished by the addition of a volume number as part of the call number proper. The volume information appears in the local call number field as well as at the item level.
ANALYZED SETS
It is the preferred practice at Meriam Library to treat individual separately titled volumes of multivolume works as distinctive publications, linked by the general set title, which is treated as a series title. The processing policy is very similar to that for monographic series, which are considered to be analyzed serials and are assigned the same basic call number with volume designation added for each separate part.
When the first volume of a new set is received for cataloging, a thorough search of the OCLC database should be made in order to determine whether there is a separate record for the volume in hand or whether there is only a record for the set as a whole. If there is a choice, select the record for the specific individual volume. Once that has been done, a decision to treat each subsequent volume as a separate is in effect.
It is conceivable that "set" cataloging might be subsequently changed to "analyzed set" cataloging, if subsequent volumes warrant such treatment. (It is unlike that an analyzed item would be changed to a non-analyzed one)
If the only on-line copy available is for the set as whole, and it is reasonable copy, use it. It may be necessary to refer the item and the copy for a decision concerning contents notes and added entries. If there is no analytic copy for a subsequent volume, do not use available copy for the set as a whole. Refer the item for original cataloging.
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