Series tracing and authority records

Summary: Instructions for catalogers concerning MSUL's approach to series title tracing and series authority records (SARs). 

Copy cataloging

1. For any untraced series title in bibliographic copy, search the national authority file to check for an authorized form of the series title
2. If an authorized series title is available:
   • trace the series title with the appropriate 490 1_ and 8XX _0
3. If an authorized series title exists but needs updating because of a major change indicated on your piece in hand:
   • bump to Autumn Faulkner for series authority work
4. If no authorized series title has been established, a 490 0_ is sufficient
   • Both for numbered and unnumbered series

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Original cataloging

1. For any series title on your piece in hand, search the national authority file to check for an authorized form
2. If an authorized series title is available:
   • trace the series title with the appropriate 490 1_ and 8XX _0
3. If an authorized series title exists but needs updating because of a major change indicated on your piece in hand:
   • bump to Autumn Faulkner for series authority work
4. If no authorized series title has been established, a 490 0_ is sufficient
   • Both for numbered and unnumbered series
   • OR, original catalogers should also feel free to establish a unique AAP for the series title and use a 490 1_ / 8XX _0 pair in the bibliographic record.
     • This may be useful in cases where the series title is generic or confusing, or where a near conflict exists in the catalog, etc.

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Decision flowchart

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Background

In historical cataloging practice, series titles were often "traced," meaning a unique form of the series title was established and used as an access point so it could be included in a catalog's series and/or title index. Any cross-references, variants, etc., were recorded in the series authority record (SAR). This practice has especially been emphasized for numbered series. In MARC, a traced series requires both a 490 1_ for the transcribed version of the series title, and a 8XX _0 for the authorized form of the series title. However, the Library of Congress ceased the practice of tracing series in 2007, due to the burdensome nature of series tracing and authority work. Series tracing policy and practice now differ widely from library to library.

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