In order to create a link:

a. Determine that a linking relationship exists

The following situations indicate or suggest the presence of a linking relationship:

A database search turns up a record that seems to be related to the serial being cataloged. Example:

Related titles are in hand. Example:

Information in piece indicates a former title or related serial. Example:

The corporate body has been used as the main entry or as a uniform title qualifier and there is evidence that the name has changed (before or after the piece in hand was issued) (AACR2 21.3B1/LCRI 21.3B). Example:

High volume numbering - when a serial is received for the first time with volume numbering other than volume 1, consider the possibility that the title may have changes.

The scope and subject of the serial indicates that it has probably been in existence for some time. Example:

An unexpected combination of language and country of publication implies that it might be a translation or language edition. Example:

b. Determine whether there is a record on the database for the related serial

Locating the related record is important because:

The entry given in the record will determine the form of entry given in the link (see 14.1.4a.)

The control numbers for the related serial record are an important part of the link

CONSER participants add or update a corresponding link in the record for the related serial (e.g., if the related serial is an earlier title, field 785 is added to the record)

A link may be made when a record is not found but the title or cataloging entry can be determined. In some cases, however, a link is made only when there is a related record (e.g., 776).

Serial Relationships and Their Tags and Indicator Values (2)

See also:

4.1. Linking relationships and linking entry fields: an overview