Chronology

While the numeric designation is sufficient to identify the serial, a chronology or chronological designation is also desirable and is given when present. Although the coverage date is preferred, other types of dates are available to cataloger particularly when the coverage date is not ascertainable.

⮚Coverage Date. A coverage date reflects the coverage of the contents and, when presented prominently and formally, is generally preferred over other dates appearing on the piece. Coverage dates are often given with the title, such as Court Technology Reports, 1989. They are most likely to be found on annual reports, directories, and other serials issued annually or less frequently.

⮚Dated editions. A word such as "edition" (or its equivalent) is sometimes given as part of the chronological designation, such as "1990 edition"

⮚Publication Date. A date that represents the publishing, release, or claim of copyright protection, may occasionally be used as a chronological designation, but only when it identifies the issue, there is no numeric designation, and the publication appears to be a serial in all other respects (CCM:8.3.3e)

515 ## $a Volumes published lack designation.

588 ## $a Description based on: volume published in 1996; title from title page.

588 ## $a Latest issue consulted: 2000.

⮚Release dates. Release or issuing dates consist of a month and year and generally appear on government publications and technical reports.

Issue has: September 1990.  Record as:

588 ## $a Description based on: September 1990; title from title page.

588 ## $a Latest issue consulted: September 1990.

⮚Copyright dates. The copyright date is a legal date that reflects the year in which the issue of copyright protection has been claimed for that issue. The date does not reflect coverage nor does it necessarily reflect the date of publishing.

The copyright date with the copyright symbol or the word copyright depending on how it is presented on the issue may be used if needed as a designation. (CCM:8.3.3g)

362 1# $a Began with: ©1989.

588 0# $a ©1989; title from title page.

588 1# $a ©1989.

The above record may be revised as follows if subsequent issues provide a designation.

362 1# $a Began with: [1990 ed.].

588 0# $a [1990 ed.]; title from title page.

588 1# $a 1992 ed.