It is often impossible to predict with accuracy what a publisher will do in the future.  As a result, it may be necessary to change the way in which a publication has been cataloged due to information gained in "hindsight."  Such decisions can only be made on a case-by-case basis.  In a cooperative environment, catalogers not only make decisions of cataloging treatment that relate to their own libraries but must also evaluate decisions of cataloging treatment made by others, as evidenced by records on a cooperative database (e.g., OCLC).

2.4.1. Monograph to serial

This is the most common case for change of treatment and it includes the following situations.

It becomes evident that the publication is being issued on a regular basis.

It becomes evident that the title has changed and an earlier or later title has been cataloged as a serial (see also Module 16).

2.4.2. Serial to monograph

This is rarely done but may be necessary when it becomes apparent that the title is unstable and has changed with every, or almost every issue, and it appears that the title on future issues is also likely to change.  The cataloging need not be changed, however, if a publication has been cataloged as a serial and it becomes obvious that the publication is being revised only on an as-needed basis.

2.4.3.  Serial to integrating resource

An example of this situation occurs when an electronic journal stops publishing successive issues and changes to integrating updates or into a database.  The change may warrant re-cataloging as an integrating resource although if a U.S. or Canada ISSN assignment is involved, the appropriate ISSN center should be contacted first.  LCRI 12.7B4.2 gives the practice for e-serials that change.

2.4.4.  Integrating resource to serial

This situation may occur when a loose-leaf has been cataloged as an integrating resource and it is later learned that the base volume is regularly issued, the record should be changed to a serial.

See also:

Module 2.  What is a Serial?