B3.  Current Cataloging

Current cataloging is first-time cataloging for an institution and is done with piece or surrogate in hand.  Current cataloging may involve creation of or maintenance of CONSER records or first-time authentication of unauthenticated records.

B3.1.  New input of original cataloging

All records newly input as part of current cataloging must be created according to RDA and related LC-PCC Policy Statements (see B1.1.).  Subject headings newly input meet the CONSER standard, as set forth in B1.3.  For the cataloging of microforms, see Appendix M.

B3.2.  First-time authentication of an existing unauthenticated record

General policies:

1)   Unauthenticated records must be brought into conformance with the principles outlined in B1.

2)   Headings must conform to RDA and related LC-PCC Policy Statements.

3)   Subject headings that are retained in existing records are verified according to the CONSER standard, as set forth in B1.3.

Additional guidance:

1)   An existing OCLC record should not be changed to cover a different publication (e.g., a different edition, a different physical format, etc.)

2)   Because the national bibliographic record is created and maintained cooperatively, it does not exclusively reflect practices and policies of a specific institution.  Therefore, information on unauthenticated OCLC records will be accepted, as long as it is not an error in fact and is not an obvious violation of rules or LC-PCC Policy Statements in effect at the time it was created (see additional instructions below).  The final record should reflect all known information about the serial.

3)   In general, CONSER libraries should change the description of an AACR2 or RDA record only when they have earlier issues upon which to base the description.  Unless there is serious cause to doubt the validity of the data in the record, a CONSER library should accept a description based on an earlier issue than the one the CONSER library has in hand.

4)   Generally accept the style and terminology of notes found in OCLC records, with the exception of linking entry notes.  Linking entry notes should be formulated according to instructions in the guidelines in CONSER Editing Guide (CEG) – Section E. MARC 21 Format for Serials as Applied within CONSER – Variable Data Fields – 76X-78X Linking Entries – Linking Entry Fields General Information.

5)   In general, unauthenticated records created before Dec. 1, 2002 that reflect changes now considered to be minor, according to the 2002 amendments of AACR2, may be collapsed when performing first time authentication.  However, such collapsing should be done cautiously and should take into consideration various criteria, including:

Length of time that the serial bore the minor change

Amount of effort needed to make the changes (e.g., simple updating versus recataloging)

Number of holdings on the records (i.e., a large number of holding libraries)

Whether there is a mix of CONSER and non-CONSER records that could/could not be collapsed

Quality and completeness of the records

Local policies

If  a CONSER library decides not to collapse one or more records, the CONSER library would authenticate the records, as appropriate.  A 588 note giving some explanation might be added if it was felt useful.

B3.3.  Modification of a previously authenticated record

The cataloger determines whether changes in the serial warrant changes to the record, according to the policies outlined in B4.  Some changes may not be made directly by CONSER members to authenticated records, but will be made by LC or NLC upon request.  Refer to the following sections in the CEG to determine what changes are allowable and/or the associated notification requirements:

Section C3.  Modifications to LC-Authenticated Records

Section C7.  Duplicate Records

Section C8.  Record Consolidation/Separation

Section C9.  Converting Pre-AACR2 Records to RDA

Section C11.  Surrogates

Section C12.  Canadian/LAC Records

See also:

Section B.  Policies and Practices

CONSER Editing Guide:  Contents