SECTION I

What is a series?

A series, as defined by AACR2, is a “group of separate items related to one another by the fact that each item bears, in addition to its own title proper, a collective title applying to the group as a whole.” A series groups items together based on similar characteristics: subject (e.g., electrical engineering), format (e.g., reprints), genre (e.g., poetry), or publishing characteristics (e.g., 24 inch high guidebooks with yellow covers). A catalog user finds searching on the collective title of a series easier and faster than searching for individual titles published within it. Even better when a series is classified as a collection, the titles are nicely shelved together for the library patron.

Issues one faces with series:

We are all familiar with the basic monograph which is an item complete in itself, and causes no problems. Monographs published in series are less routine, but answers to typical series questions can easily be found. Is this series intended to continue indefinitely or not? Is this series numbered or not? Has this series changed title? Is this the right series entry for this piece?

Different kinds of series found on monographs:

For monographs issued in series, there are five series categories we can use to decide what will be done. Each category is distinguished by two things: how the publisher issues them, and how UM Libraries catalog and classify them. Deciding how to catalog and classify a monograph that has a series can be confusing at times, but it comes down to only two things: how the series is published and how we the treat the series.

Under each of the five series categories listed below, we show several things that can happen to a series belonging in it. No series will use more than two of the five categories to characterize the series. Only certain series category combinations can be made, and they are: 1 and 4 [numbered multi-part item series]; 1 and 5 [numbered ongoing series]; 2 and 4 [unnumbered multi-part item series]; 2 and 5 unnumbered ongoing series]; 3 and 4 [numb./unnumb. multi-part item series]; 3 and 5 [numb./unnumb. ongoing series] The different combinations influence the series treatment. Whenever in doubt, rely on the series authority record (SAR) for the series appearing on the monograph-in-hand for guidance in deciding which categories apply.

1. Numbered series – Every monograph with a distinctive title in the series is fully cataloged on its own bibliographic record. This series type may be classified separately with an individual call number for each title; See EXAMPLE. The series may be classified together, analyzed in full using both a main title bibliographic record for the series with a collected set call number and a separate bibliographic record for each distinctive title that carries the same call number plus a volume number representing its series number; See EXAMPLE. The series may be classified together, analyzed in part with the distinctive titles in series being cataloged on their own bibliographic records and the non-distinctive titles having their holdings added to the main title bibliographic record; See EXAMPLE

2. Unnumbered series – Every title is fully cataloged. Every title is classed separately; See EXAMPLE

3. Numb./unnumb. series – Some series entries have numbers and others lack numbers. This is sometimes intentionally done. Other times, publishers who began issuing their series without numbered entries decide the series should be numbered and retrospectively assign numbers to the titles already published. Generally series that fall in this category are cataloged and classed separately in just the same manner as the unnumbered series; See EXAMPLE.
   NOTE: In situations where a formerly numbered series completely stops numbering and starts over issuing the same series without numbers, or, in situations where a an unnumbered series starts over and begins issuing the same series with initial numbers, e.g., no. 1, the one series becomes two separate series. A second series authority record (SAR) is made. In both situations, the unnumbered series with the same title gets the qualifier (Unnumbered) added to it.

4. Multi-part item – A monograph series that is intended to be complete in a finite number of parts; See EXAMPLE. Each title in the series is distinctive and cataloged separately. Multi-part items may be unnumbered, numbered, or numb./unnumb. Unnumbered multi-part items are not analyzed. Numbered multi-part items may or may not be analyzed. Numb./unnumb. multi-part items are generally not analyzed. When the separately cataloged monograph titles of a multi-part item all have different call numbers, the series is not analyzed. When the separately cataloged monograph titles of a multi-part item are classified together and unified by a collective title record that is a monograph record, it is called an analyzed monograph; See EXAMPLE.

5. Ongoing series – A monograph series that is intended to be issued indefinitely. Series in this category can be unnumbered, numbered, or numb./unnumb. Unnumbered ongoing series are never analyzed. Numbered issues in an ongoing series may or may not be analyzed. Generally numb./unnumb. series are not analyzed. When the separately cataloged monograph titles in a numbered ongoing series all have different call numbers, the series is not analyzed. When the separately cataloged monograph titles of a numbered ongoing series are classified together and analyzed in full (or in part) and unified by a collective title record that is a serial record, it is called an analyzed serial; See EXAMPLE.

Related to series are open monographs and serials that are not analyzed or considered unanalyzable.

Open monograph – A monograph title, issued in parts, intended to be complete in a finite number of parts and is not analyzed. The parts are classified together. Each part may also have a part or section title that is listed in a contents note on the monograph set record. The parts do not receive title added entries or individual bibliographic records; See EXAMPLE.

Serial that is not analyzed or considered unanalyzable – A publication in any medium, issued in successive parts, bearing numeric or chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely. The parts are classified together, but the parts either lack distinctive titles or their titles are not considered important access points. The serial record, a single record, is used to describe the collective title. The bound pieces of the unanalyzed serial are called serial adds and their item holdings are attached to the serial record; See EXAMPLE.

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