How to Avoid the Need to Create a New Description

CONSER provides some guidelines for the cataloger when creating a record for an original serial resource that could reduce the need for a new description later on.

⮚Words in the title that are issue-specific. Words such as "inaugural," "final," "centennial," and "anniversary" are most often found only on one issue. If such a word occurs on the first issue or the issue upon which the description is based, drop the word from the title proper (RDA 2.3.1.4) or, when possible, describe from another issue. If the word appears on an issue other than the first, treat the situation as a title variation, rather than as a title change. (CCM: 16.2.5a)

245 10 $a Alumni directory.

246 1# $i Issue for 1989 called: $a Centennial alumni directory

588 ## $a Description based on: 1989.

⮚Selection of the chief source. The source chosen as the chief source may play an important role in determining whether a new record is required.

When each issue of a serial has a title page and the titles on the title pages undergo a major change, make a new description, even if the title on another source (e.g., the cover) remains the same.

When a serial begins with a title page and a cover, each having a different title, and subsequently drops the title page, make a new description because the title selected no longer appears. However, if the serial is cataloged from the cover and a title page is added on a later issue with a different title, do not make a new description, because the title selected still appears prominently on the piece.

When a serial does not have a title page, select another source as the preferred source for the title according to RDA 2.2.2.2. When working retrospectively, if it is evident from multiple issues that one source (e.g., the caption) has a stable title and that the title on a more preferred source (e.g., the cover) changes, choose the source with the stable title to avert the need for a new description.

⮚Bilingual serials vs. language editions. When a serial that was in more than one language separates into separate language editions, make a new description for the title that was previously given as the parallel title or added title page title.

⮚Name of corporate bodies. If a serial begins with nothing on the chief source but the name of a corporate body, give the name of the corporate body as the title proper according to (RDA 2.3.1.5). If on subsequent issues a true title is given, consider the title to have changed and make a new description.