Overview
The RDA definition of series is: "A group of separate resources related to one another by the fact that each resource 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." Note that the definition applies to both serials and multipart monographs. [RDA has a second definition for series that refers to a separately numbered sequence of volumes or issues with a series or serial (e.g. 1st series, 2nd series, etc.). This document applies only to resources in the first category]
Series issued as serials are sometimes called monographic series; as serials, monographic series are intended to be issued indefinitely. Generally items in a monographic series are single part monographs issued on an irregular basis.* For printed materials the bibliographic record for the monographic series as a whole is entered in the MARC21 Serials format with 008 Type of Serial:m.
*In some cases an item within the series may be a serial (a periodical within a series) or a multipart monograph; the term "monographic series" is technically incorrect but is used here to distinguish between series bibliographic records created using the MARC 21 serials format and series bibliographic records for multiparts using the MARC 21 books format.
A series may also be issued as a multipart monograph (mpm), i.e. with an intended conclusion. A multipart monograph series should be entered in the MARC 21 Books format.
Series may be classed-together (all items have the same call number; call numbers are distinguished by the volume number) or classed separately (each item in the series has a different call number). A series may be analyzed (separate bibliographic records created for the each distinct item in the series) or not. A series may be analyzed whether it is classed-together or classed separately; a classed separately series must be analyzed.
If a series is on standing order, a bibliographic record in Serials or Books format is always created. Series bibliographic records contain standard MARC fields with appropriate content designation and sufficient information for positive identification.
A bibliographic record generally is not created for a monographic series that is not received on standing order, although the cataloger may use that option for some classed-together situations. For mpm series not received on standing order, a bibliographic record is always created if the set is classed-together; a bibliographic record is not created if the set is classed-separately.
Bibliographic records for analyzed monographic series are used primarily as a hook to the Voyager Acquisitions line item and to ensure that acquisitions staff use the established form of the series and follow local classification decisions. The minimal encoding level is 7. The bibliographic record is suppressed from public display if the series is classed separately; the bibliographic record is usually suppressed if the series is classed-together unless the set cannot be fully analyzed. If the decision is to display the record to the public, the record may follow the same minimal standard used for classed-separately records if no cataloging copy is available; however, 008 fields must be upgraded to standard level in order to export the records to the utilities. (Non-roman units cataloging in OCLC may choose to create their preliminary records on the utility as well.)
Bibliographic records for classed-separately multipart series on standing order are suppressed from public display and may remain at E/L 7. Bibliographic records for classed-together multiparts are always displayed and are always upgraded to full or core-level.
Because the series bibliographic record is used by acquisitions staff to determine the form of series used on analytics and to determine local classification practice, the first volume received for any new standing order series should be routed to the appropriate cataloging unit for priority cataloging. The cataloging unit is responsible for deciding whether the series will be classed together or classed separately, for creating or updating a series authority record for the series if necessary, and updating the bibliographic receipt records where necessary (e.g., for title changes or entering local classification decisions, or in some cases to full-level standard).
For detailed acquisitions procedures, see:
Preliminary Bib. Records: Monographic Series & Multipart Monographs on Standing Order