Base the description on the first or earliest available issue of a serial.

The chief source is the title page or title page substitute from that issue and is the source from which the title is transcribed.

A page need have only the title on it to be a title page, but frequently carries further information.

A page that is designed to be the contents or editorial page is not a title page; it may be a title page substitute if it is the only source that bears the title.

Give notes when the description is not based on the first issue and when the chief source is a title page substitute.

Do not change areas 1, 2, and 4 of the description to reflect changes on later issues, except to add information from the last issue when closing off the record.  Area 3 might be updated to close off one numbering system and open another.

See also:

Module 3.  Chief Source and Other Sources of Information