With the exception of unnumbered series, every CONSER RDA serial description must have numbering given in two 588 fields, the “Description based on” note and the “Latest issue consulted” note. (If the first or last issue of the serial is in hand or known, numbering is also given in field 362.)
Serial numbering may include a numeral, a letter, any other character, or the combination of these with or without an accompanying caption (volume, number, etc.) and/or a chronological designation.
Numeric and chronological information (designation and value) can be acquired from different sources and joined or pieced together to construct a complete (362) and (588) statement.As one of the defining and critical characteristics of serials, serial numbering demands separate coverage. These are the topics covered in this section.
Source of Numbering Information