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Serials Cataloging Follows CONSER Standard Record

As of August 1, 2007, SUL will follow the CONSER Standard Record for new cataloging of serials. The standard applies to print serials and non-print serials (such as serials on CD-ROM, e-journals, and microform serials).

1. Original cataloging: Catalog serials following the CONSER Standard Record. Original catalogers may add elements not required by the CONSER standard if these elements are considered important for identification, retrieval, or description.
   • A classification number is not required by the CONSER standard record, but SUL classifies all print serials and will assign a call number to all newly cataloged titles.
   • The Encoding Level of the CONSER Standard Record is "blank" (Full level). There is no longer a CONSER Core (Encoding Level "4"). Effective August 1, 2007, the default encoding level for newly created SUL serial records shall be Full Level (Encoding Level "blank").
   • Use of Encoding Level "4" on newly created SUL serial records shall be limited to Minimal Level records, which are created only under special circumstances (such as a serial in an esoteric language not handled by the Metadata Department).
   • SUL is not currently a member of CONSER. Cataloging Source should continue to be coded "d". Do not input an 042 tag (Authentication code) on newly created serial records.
   • Serials cataloging for non-vernacular script languages (i.e., Western European languages and Slavic languages) is done in the SirsiDynix WorkFlows system (Symphony), not in OCLC Connexion. See an example of a new record created following the CONSER standard (JPEG image, 175KB).
   For complete documentation on the CONSER Standard Record, see the CONSER site for Serials Cataloging Issues. This site links to the CONSER Standard Record site, which includes the relevant Library of Congress Rule Interpretations.
   
2. Copy cataloging: Copy catalogers will accept CONSER Standard Records created by other libraries, and make modifications to the record only when updating information about the serial that has changed (such as adding a new corporate body as an access point), or adding SUL-required elements such as LC subject headings and a call number.
   
3. Maintenance of records: When updating an already cataloged serial record, do not delete elements that are not incorrect.
   • For example, the CONSER standard record does not require a 300 tag for physical description of a print serial. Do not delete the 300 tag on existing records.
   • Incorrect data may be deleted.
   For additional guidance, see the PDF file: CONSER Record Documentation, available from the CONSER Standard Record site.

Document created by Kay Teel, MARC Unit, August 3, 2007

Last modified: October 9, 2008