SERIES VERIFICATION PROCEDURE:
comparing bibliographic record, SIRSI SAR, and OCLC SAR

1. Call up the bibliographic record.

2. Compare the series on the volume in hand with the series statement on the bib record to be
sure that it is there and that it is correctly transcribed. Series that appear in the CIP
area only should not be transcribed on the record.

If the series title is present in more than one source and is not the same in all sources, prefer as the source in the following order:
1. series title page,
2. monograph title page,
3. front cover,
4. other (except CIP)

Series numbering may come from anywhere (except CIP)-- check spine, etc. if you don’t see numbering with the series title.

Record a range of consecutive numbers as: v. 1-v. 3 (or whatever fits the case in hand).
If numbers are non-consecutive, create multiple tracing fields, one for each number. (This differs from LC practice, which is to string out all the numbers all in the same field. We don't do this for indexing reasons).

3. Call up series authority record in SIRSI.

4. Note whether numbered or unnumbered, heading, analysis and tracing policy, classification
policy, and caption on SAR. A bib record which does not match an SAR in
Acorn will carry an “unauthorized” stamp.

Note, however, that even if a series "authorizes", the SAR should be consulted for captioning policy, tracing policy, for the presence of VU coding (prior to MARCIVE processing) and for picking up changes to the authority record since the series was initially verified. Most changes to headings will be handled by a report after 12/2004.

5. Call up series authority record in OCLC & compare with SIRSI SAR, looking for changes.
If SIRSI record is a local input and a record on OCLC is found, printout the OCLC record
and note the SIRSI record no. on the printout. Give to series assistant..
If the OCLC record has additional references, note “overlay” and your initials on printout. If
the heading has changed on OCLC, refer to cataloger to determine which heading to use.
(There are some instances in which we are deliberately not following the heading on the
OCLC record; these cases will be identified with notes in the 690 fields of such records. Follow our
practice.)
If no SAR found in SIRSI but found in OCLC, code 954 with the date for the record to be brought in. Records for series-type phrases and untraced series will still have to be imported locally. Print off and give to series assistant.
Exception: if series is new to Acorn and is classed together, refer to serials cataloger before
using. (Classed together series require a serial bibliographic record; single receipts in
classed tog. series are usually classed sep.)
If you find 2 SARs on OCLC for the same series (may have exactly the same heading or a slightly different heading based on another vol.), consult with Ann about which to retain. She will report the other for deletion.

6. Series on bibliographic record should match exactly series authority heading
(except for qualifier) or 4xx on the SAR. Check bib record for correct tagging, captioning etc.
There should only be one field indexing for every series on the record, i.e., no 440 and 830
for the same series.

7. Repeat verification process for every series on the book.

Common Problems:

PROBLEM EXPLANATION VERIFIER ACTION CATALOGER ACTION (in addition to BFM in OCLC/LC databases)
Numbering in CIP of book only but recorded on record Numbering may be used by a publisher internally but not actually printed on the piece SA& Removes numbering from record
Numbering drops off a numbered series, or suddenly appears on an unnumbered series May call for a new record SA& Modifies existing SAR or creates new one
Series title in CIP only but appears on record and not on book Publisher may have initially planned to issue book in series but didn't actually do so. SA& Removes series from record
Series title on book but not on record Copy created before book actually published; publisher added series SA& Add series to record and verifies
Series title matches, but publisher is different 1. Could be a different series, or:
2. Could be a change of publisher
SA& 1.Verifies other series
2.Adds new 643 to record

Series title on book is not an exact match to SAR:

--title completely different
--singular vs. plural words
--change in a small word such as "in" instead of "on", "&" instead of "and", abbreviation instead of spelled out form

Title change requiring a new SAR or modification of an existing SAR SA& Verifies,creates, or modifies existing record

 

r;ae;10/2005