Staff responsible for adding serial issues to cataloged records. Check with your supervisor if you think the latest issue in hand falls into any of the major or minor changes categories discussed below. Cataloging staff will need to update the current bibliographic record or create a new record. Major/minor changes must be accounted for:
Cataloging staff. Update of the old record or creation of a new record due to major/minor changes should be considered high priority for the reasons cited above.
Serial copy catalogers. If there is a discrepancy between the serial issue to be cataloged and the existing bibliographic source record, decide whether the difference represents a major or minor change.
Monograph copy catalogers. Changes to the series title will generally be handled by MARS processing. If you happen to notice a discrepancy between the series statement (490) and the series access point (830), and the SAR does not account for it, consult with your supervisor.
Cataloging librarians. Use the checklist to verify whether to update the existing record or create a new record (bibliographic or SAR as appropriate). Note that it is Yale practice not to reclass (e.g. from Old Yale to LC) when a new serial record is created due to a title change. (Cataloging of Serials in the Yale University Library. Section 7A D.2a. Successive entry/rev. 9/14/76: “The new entry uses the same call number as the earlier entry.”)
New record required!
No new record required!
Change in numbering (e.g., 1-3, then re-starts again at 1)
The rules for serial (and monographic series) title changes are subdivided into “major” and “minor” changes. For serials, a major change requires a new bibliographic record. A minor change is generally handled by updating the existing record with a 246 field. For series statements, a major change requires a new series authority record; a minor change is generally handled with a reference (4XX) on the SAR.
In RDA, major changes to the title proper can be found under RDA 2.3.2.13.1 and the corresponding LC-PCC PS. Under AACR2 changes to title proper were covered under 21.2A and the corresponding LC rule interpretation (LCRI).
LC-PCC PS Major-Minor Changes in the Titles Proper of Serials. General Guidelines. [Section in PS preceding LC-PCC PS 2.3.2.13.1]
1. RDA instructions 1.6.2.3 and 2.3.2.13 apply to serials, series, and series-like phrases.
2. Base decisions on title changes on a comparison of the titles proper; do not use a variant title as the basis for title changes in serials or series.
3. "Multiple minor changes in the title do not equal a major change."
Most changes requiring a new record involve the title proper (for serials, 245 ‡a and ‡p; for series 490 ‡a [490 does not have a subfield for parts]. Per RDA 2.3.2.13.1 (formerly AACR2 21.2A1), a major change in the title proper is considered to be
a. the addition, deletion, change, or reordering of any of the first five words (the first six words if the title beings with an article) unless the change belongs to one or more of the categories listed in RDA 2.3.2.13.2 (Minor Changes)
b. the addition, deletion, or change of any word after the first five words (the first six words if the title begins with an article) that changes the meaning of the title or indicates a different subject matter
c. a change of name for a corporate body included anywhere in the title if the changed name is for a different corporate body [i.e. the corporate body name would have a separate authority record].
RDA 2.3.2.13.2 covers minor changes to the title proper. Minor changes in AACR2 were under 21.2A2; there are only minor differences in wording)
a) a difference in the representation of a word or words anywhere in the title (e.g., one spelling vs. another; abbreviated word or sign or symbol vs. spelled-out form; arabic numeral(s) vs. roman numeral(s); numbers or dates vs. spelled-out form; hyphenated words vs. unhyphenated words; one-word compounds vs. two-word compounds, whether hyphenated or not; an acronym or initialism vs. full form; or a change in grammatical form (e.g., singular vs. plural))
LC-PCC PS 2.3.2.13.2 Category A (formerly LCRI 21.2A2). "Consider that "one spelling vs. another" applies both in the case of ordinary orthographic variations and in the case of official orthographic changes. Consider that "a change in grammatical form" includes singular vs. plural, adjective vs. noun, and genitive vs. nominative case."
b) the addition, deletion, or change of articles, prepositions, or conjunctions anywhere in the title
c) a difference involving the name of the same corporate body and elements of its hierarchy or their grammatical connection anywhere in the title (e.g., the addition, deletion, or rearrangement of the name of the same corporate body or the substitution of a variant form
LC-PCC PS 2.3.13.2. Category C. "If the change is in the name of a body that is part of the title proper and the change requires the creation of a new heading for the body (see RDA 11.2.2.6), consider such a change to be a major change. Consider the presence or absence of the name or title of the official of the body to be a minor change. Consider the presence or absence of the body to whom a publication is presented to be a minor change."
d) the addition, deletion, or change of punctuation, including initialisms and letters with separating punctuation vs. those without separating punctuation, anywhere in the title
e) a different order of titles when the title is given in more than one language in the chief source of information, provided that the title chosen as title proper still appears as a parallel title
LC-PCC PS 2.3.13.2. Category E. "Also apply this category when the title is given in more than one script. Do not consider there to be a major change even if the addition of the title in another language or script on a later issue would affect the choice of title proper if the description were based on that issue. However, consider that there has been a major change if there is evidence that the publisher intentionally changed the title; such evidence may include, for example, a statement by the publisher or a new ISSN printed on the publication."
f) the addition, deletion, or change of words anywhere in the title that link the title to the numbering
g) two or more titles proper used on different issues of a serial according to a regular pattern
LC-PCC PS 2.3.13.2. Category G. "Also apply this category when the language of the title varies according to the language of the text. However, consider that there has been a major change if there is evidence that the publisher intentionally changed the title; such evidence may include, for example, a statement by the publisher or a new ISSN printed on the publication."
h) the addition to, deletion from, or change in the order of words in a list anywhere in a title, provided that there is no significant change in the subject matter
LC-PCC PS 2.3.13.2. Category H.: "Consider that "a list" means at least three terms."
i) the addition, deletion, or rearrangement anywhere in the title of words that indicate the type of resource such as "magazine," "journal," or "newsletter" or their equivalent in other languages. ["rearrangement" was formerly only in the LCRI; it is now part of the rules]
LC-PCC PS 2.3.13.2. Category I. "The change from one word to another (e.g., the change from "magazine" to "journal") is a major change. The word "series" does indicate a type of resource. A word denoting frequency (e.g., "monthly") does not indicate a type of resource."
RDA 2.3.2.13.2 (last sentence): In case of doubt, consider the change to be a minor change.
Existing record:
| 110 | 2 | ‡a Connecticut Public Transportation Authority. | |
| 245 | 1 | 0 | ‡a Annual report and recommendations. |
New record. Note that a new record is made even though the title itself has not changed.
| 110 | 2 | _ | ‡a Connecticut Public Transportation Commission. |
| 245 | 1 | 0 | ‡a Annual report and recommendations. |
NOTE: new record is created even if the translated title does not change.
Existing record:
| 130 | 0 | _ | ‡a Izvestiia Akademii nauk Armianskoi SSR. ‡p Fizika. ‡l English. |
| 245 | 1 | 0 | ‡a Soviet journal of contemporary physics |
| 785 | 0 | 0 | ‡t Izvestiia Akademii nauk Armenii. Fizika. English. Journal of contemporary physics |
New record:
| 130 | 0 | _ | ‡a Izvestiia Akademii nauk Armenii. ‡p Fizika. ‡l English. |
| 245 | 1 | 0 | ‡a Journal of contemporary physics / ‡c Armenian Academy of Sciences. |
| 780 | 0 | 0 | ‡t Izvestiia Akademii nauk Armianskoi SSR. Fizika. English. Soviet journal of contemporary physics |
Existing record
| 130 | 0 | _ | ‡a Bulletin (Colorado State University. Animal Reproduction Laboratory) |
| 245 | 1 | 0 | ‡a Bulletin |
New record:
| 130 | 0 | _ | ‡a Bulletin (Colorado State University. Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory) |
| 245 | 1 | 0 | ‡a Bulletin |
Create a new record (major change):
Print changes to online
CD-ROM changes to online
Update the record (minor change):
Microfilm changes to microfiche
VHS changes to DVD; DVD changes to Blu-ray
HTML changes to XML or PDF
Create a new record (major change in coverage):
North American edition changes to North and Central American edition
Update the record (minor change; coverage has not changed):
Doctor's edition changes to Physician's edition
Serial or series numbering re-starts.
Current SAR: 642 ‡a v. 2 ‡5 DLC; 670 imprint date is 1991. Current issue published in 2001 with numbering “new series, volume 1.” Orbis search shows latest issue as v. 25 in 2000. New SAR is not created.
On bib record: 4XX ___________ ; ‡v new ser., v. 1
SAR update:
642 ‡a new ser., v. 1 ‡d 2001-‡5 DPCC ‡5 CtY
642 ‡a v. 2 ‡d <1991-2000> ‡5 DLC
Current SAR: 642 ‡v. 1 ‡5 DLC; 670 imprint date is 1983; current issue published in 1999 with numbering “volume 1.” Orbis search shows latest issue as v. 88 in 1998.
On bib record: 4XX ______________ ; ‡v [new ser.], v. 1
SAR update:
642 ‡a [new ser.], v. 1 ‡d 1999- ‡5 DPCC ‡5 CtY
642 ‡a v. 1 ‡d 1983-<1998> ‡5 DLC
Current SAR: 642 ‡a no. 3 ‡5 DLC; 670 imprint date is 1997. Current issue published in 2002 with numbering “volume 32.” Orbis search shows latest issue as no. 30 in 1995.
On bib record:
490 1_ ‡a_______________ ; ‡v v. 32
830 _0 ‡a _______________; ‡v no. 32.
SAR is not updated; no new SAR is made.
1. Addition, deletion, change, or re-ordering of any of the first five words (minus initial article) unless the change is among the minor change exceptions
The mining review changes to The mining and industry review
Atlantic changes to Atlantic monthly
ACE newsletter changes to ACE journal
For the Atlantic and ACE newsletter examples, see also the note under Minor changes to title proper, type i.
Series example requiring a new SAR:
Biology and zoology curriculum guides changes to Zoology and biology curriculum guides
2. Words are added, dropped, or changed anywhere in the title that change the meaning of the title or indicate a different subject matter
The best bed & breakfasts in the world changes to The best bed & breakfasts in the United States
Series example requiring new SAR::
Recent doctoral dissertations on Russian literature changes to Recent doctoral dissertations on Russian literature and theology
BUT (MINOR change; UPDATE the existing record):
Directory, educational and career information services changes to Directory, education, and career information services for adults
Note: a change from adjective ("educational") to noun ("education") or vice versa is minor, per LC-PCC PS 2.3.2.13.2; the addition of "for adults" at the end of the list does not change the scope.
3. Major change in the name of a corporate body (i.e., new authority record needed) if the name is recorded as part of the title proper
Reports of the Institute of High Speed Mechanics changes to Reports of the Institute of Fluid Mechanics
Series example requiring a new SAR
Oregon Social Workers’ Association monograph changes to Monograph of the Pacific Northwest Social Workers’ Association
Comment: there are 2 separate NARs for the corporate body: 110 Oregon Social Workers’ Association and 110 Pacific Northwest Social Workers’ Association
Although not listed under any of the a.-i. categories, remember that a change beyond the first five words that doesn't indicate a different subject matter is a minor change.
| 130 ON EXISTING SAR | TITLE ON CURRENT ITEM. Minor change; no new SAR; update existing SAR with 430 |
|---|---|
| Immigration and emigration studies. Part A, Northern Europe and Scandinavia | Immigration & emigration studies. Part A, Scandinavia and Northern Europe |
| 130 ON EXISTING SAR | TITLE ON CURRENT ITEM. Minor change; no new SAR; update existing SAR with 430 |
|---|---|
| Labor statistical studies | Labour statistical study |
(NOTE: above example is a spelling variant and also a change in grammatical form from plural to singular; see more examples of the latter below)
Abbreviated word, sign or symbol vs. spelled out form is minor
Acronym or initialism vs. full form is minor
HISTORICAL NOTE. Under the AACR2 pre2002 rules, change from full form to initialism and vice versa was major but full form to an abbreviated form (and vice versa) was minor; it was therefore necessary to distinguish between an abbreviation and an acronym/initialism when deciding whether the change was minor. Under the AACR2 2002 rules, unchanged with RDA, it doesn't matter whether the name is in the form of an abbreviation or an acronym/initialism; a change from either of these to the full form, and vice versa, is MINOR. Note that the rule applies even if the entire title proper becomes an acronym/initialism, and vice versa.
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record |
|---|---|
| Accommodations and travel services | Accommodations & travel services |
| Television monthly | TV monthly |
| Ga. peach statistics | Georgia peach statistics |
| Saint Paul reporter | St. Paul reporter |
| Journal of applied mechanics | JAM |
| Los Angeles woman | LA woman |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| 4 corners power review | IV corners power review |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | NEXT ISSUE RECEIVED. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| 4 corners power review | Four corners power review |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| Yearbook | Year book |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON NEXT ISSUE RECEIVED. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| Yearbook | Year-book |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| Openhouse review | Open house review |
| 130 ON EXISTING SAR | TITLE ON CURRENT ITEM. Minor change; no new SAR; update existing SAR with 430 |
|---|---|
| Data base applications | Database applications |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| Fishery report | Fisheries report |
| Africa news watch | African news watch |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| Alumni directory | Alumnae directory |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON NEXT ISSUE RECEIVED. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| Alumni directory | Alumni/ae directory |
| 130 ON EXISTING SAR | TITLE ON CURRENT ITEM. Minor change; no new SAR; update existing SAR with 430 |
|---|---|
| Papers on Asia art | Papers on Asian art |
See also the Bulletin of the Willower Group example under c. below
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| Annual report of pipeline safety | Annual report on pipeline safety |
| 130 ON EXISTING SAR | TITLE ON CURRENT ITEM. Minor change; no new SAR; update existing SAR with 430 |
|---|---|
| Research on immunology | Research in immunology |
See also the Series on genealogical research example under i. below
e.g. the addition, deletion, or rearrangement of the name of the same corporate body or the substitution of a variant form. Compare the last example with the major change example #1 above.
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| Journal of the Association of Computing Machinery | Journal of the ACM |
| Annual report and recommendations of the Connecticut Public Transportation Commission | Annual report and recommendations of the CPTC |
| 130 ON EXISTING SAR | TITLE ON CURRENT ITEM. Minor change; no new SAR; update existing SAR with 430 |
|---|---|
| Bulletin of the Willower Group | Willower Group bulletin |
| IEA study | Study of the Iowa Education Association |
| Discussion paper (Behavioral Analysis Society) | Behavioral Analysis Society discussion paper |
| Engebretson Foundation research report | Research report of the Engebretson Foundation |
| AT historical guides | Historical guides <publisher American Tutoring Pub. Co. remains the same> |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record (with 246) |
|---|---|
| GBB | G.B.B. |
| Alberta's reserves of gas | Albertas reserves of gas |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record with 500 Order of titles varies. |
|---|---|
| South African medical journal = Suid Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde | Suid Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde = South African medical journal |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245 |
|---|---|
| OSMRE annual report for ... | OSMRE annual report for the year ... |
The CONSER Cataloging Manual uses the example of the Washington Post. In April 15 1878 the Washington Post changed its title to The Washington Post and Union, but changed back to The Washington Post April 30 1878. Instead of creating a new record, the Washington Post and Union title was entered in 246. CONSER generally treats Saturday and Sunday titles of newspapers as fluctuating titles.
The LC-PCC PS 2.3.13.2. Category G adds that the instruction should be extended to bilingual serial titles that fluctuate from one language to the other, e.g. L'Idée nouvelle and The New idea.
CONSER generally applies 2.3.13.2 g. retroactively only. In other words, don't anticipate until you're sure.
Note that The section title must also be considered when making the decision on a title change. When in doubt, consider it to be a minor change.
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record with 500 Order of titles varies. |
|---|---|
| 245 00 ‡a Philosophical magazine. ‡n B, ‡p Physics of condensed matter, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties | 245 00 ‡a Philosophical magazine. ‡n B, ‡p Physics of condensed matter, structural, electronic, optical, and magnetic properties |
| 130 ON EXISTING SAR | TITLE ON CURRENT ITEM. Minor change; no new SAR; update existing SAR with 430 |
|---|---|
| Studies on growing roses, lilacs, azaleas, peonies, and other plants | Studies on growing roses, azaleas, peonies, and other plants |
| 245 ON EXISTING RECORD | TITLE ON CURRENT ISSUE. Minor change; retain 245; update existing record with 246 and 500 Order of titles varies. |
|---|---|
| Yearbook of Nordic statistics | Nordic statistical yearbook |
| Organic chemistry review | Review of organic chemistry |
| 130 ON EXISTING SAR | TITLE ON CURRENT ITEM. Minor change; no new SAR; update existing SAR with 430 |
|---|---|
| Série Littérature française | Littérature française |
| Series on genealogical research | Genealogical research series |
| Linguistics | Linguistics series |
The Yearbook of Nordic statistics is an example of "multiple minor changes do not make a major change." The insertion of a preposition is minor, and the grammatical change from "statistics" (noun) to "statistical" (adjective) is minor, and since multiple minors do not make a major; and since the changes do not affect the scope of the title, the change is minor.
The Series on genealogical research is an example of both type b. and type i. Minor changes.
Note that the rule does not apply to words indicating frequency. If Atlantic changes to Atlantic monthly, this is a major change; a new record must be created.
Note also that a change from one term denoting type of resource to another resource term is a major change. If ACE newsletter changes to ACE journal, this is a major change; a new record must be created.
Example sources: Jean Hirons July 2002 NASIG presentation (modified locally to account for LCRIs); CONSER Cataloging Manual (2002; modified locally to account for AACR2 updates and LCRIs); Judy Kuhagen AACR2 2002 Revision: Monographs at LC (local modifications). NOTE: RDA has not affected the examples.