The preferred source is generally the most prominent source on the serial and the source from which a user would be most likely to cite the serial, such as a title page or cover. The preferred source is often important in determining the preferred title (Title Proper) for a serial work (RDA 6.2.2.4). The preferred source is also important for cooperative serials cataloging because other catalogers will use and update the record based on the title taken from the preferred source.
Title Page. The title page, when there is one, is used as the preferred source of information. CONSER defines the title page as a page that contains the title of the serial. If there is more than one page that gives the title, the title page is generally the one that also includes responsible bodies, place and name of publisher, and/or the designation of the issue. A page can be a title page, however, when there is nothing on it but the title, even when another source, such as the cover, contains more information.
Title page substitutes. When the serial does not have a title page, as is often the case, choose another source containing the title as the "title page substitute." Instructions in RDA 2.2.2.2-RDA 2.2.2.4 provide orders of preference based on media/carrier. For resources with pages, leaves, sheets, or cards (or images of these), the title page substitute is (in this order): (1) the cover or jacket; (2) the caption; (3) the masthead; (4) the colophon; (5) some other source with formally-presented information; or another source within the resource that has a title. (RDA 2.2.2.2).
If the information required to identify the resource does not appear on the resource itself, supply information from accompanying material, other published descriptions of the resource, a container not considered part of the resource, or any other available source (RDA 2.2.4). (CCM: 3.3.1) This includes accompanying material (e.g., a leaflet, an “about” file) that is not treated as part of the manifestation, other published descriptions of the manifestation, a container that is not issued with the manifestation itself, any other available source (e.g., a reference source). (RDA: 2.2.4)
CONSER instructs to base the identification of the resource on the lowest numbered issue or part available; ideally, this would be the first issue of the serial. If you do not have the first issue, base the description on the earliest issue in hand and record the designation of that issue in a “Description based on" note. (CCM:3.1.1)
It is CONSER practice to always supply a “Description based on” note even if the description is based on the first issue. This is combined with a “Source of title” note. (CCM:3.1.1)
When a new record is created due to a major change in title or responsibility, or other circumstances, base the description on the first issue that bears the new title or responsible body, or the earliest issue in hand if the first issue is not available or is uncertain.
Pilot or introductory issues. Sometimes the first issue of a serial is issued bearing words such as "premier," "introductory," or "pilot" issue and may or may not have numbering. The issue may be the first issue of a serial run and not a test issue to explore public interest.
If truly the first issue, base the description on this issue. Issues that bear numbering such as vol. 1, no. 0 may be used as the first issue when there is clear evidence that they are not serving merely as sample issues. Words. Record premier, introductory, or pilot in a 515 note.
362 1# $a Began with Vol. 1, no. 1 (July 1990).
515 ## $a Vol. 1, no. 1 (July 1990) also called Premier-Preview.
Surrogates. In some cases, the earliest issue of a print serial is not available, but the cataloger has a surrogate with adequate information to complete the description. In other cases, a more recent issue of the print serial is not available, but a surrogate is. The surrogate may be a scanned or faxed image of the preferred source or it may be a facsimile online version.
Situation #1. The first issue description is based on the piece in hand; later issues are facsimiles of online versions.
588 0# $a Volume 1, number 1 (January 2001); title from cover.
588 1# $a Volume 13, number 10 (October 2013) (online surrogate) (publisher’s website, viewed December 10, 2013).