CONSER Numbers & Statistics

Summary:  This procedure provides guidance to serials catalogers on the use of LC-assigned CONSER numbers for MSUL and on the formulation of proper 982 MARC fields for the tracking of CONSER cataloging and maintenance statistics.

CONSER numbers

From the Short Guide to CONSER Authentication:

All authenticated CONSER records contain a valid LCCN in subfield $a of the 010. CONSER members add a valid LCCN to each record they originally input or each existing unauthenticated OCLC record that is being authenticated. Each CONSER member is assigned a unique, sequential block of LCCN for authenticating records. It is important that the number be input correctly so that it does not duplicate an LCCN already on a record in the database. Once a record has been updated through the authentication process, institutions other than LC should not change the $a portion of field 010. Please be sure that once an LCCN is added to one record ...

The presence of 010 $a and a valid 042 code cause the record to flow to the CONSER database. 010 and 042 are the primary identifying fields of an authenticated record.

MSUL generally receives a new block of sequential LCCN (our CONSER numbers) each December for use in the following calendar year. These are distributed to the CONSER representative who records them in a shared spreadsheet for claiming and use by all MSUL CONSER catalogers.

Current numbers: 2024 CONSER numbers

To claim and use a number:

• In the month column, record the first three characters of the month in which you are using the number (e.g. Jan)
• In the initials column, record your initials
• Input the LCCN itself into the 010 field of the CONSER record you are authenticating

CONSER Statistics Overview

MSUL creates internally devised statistical codes in 982 fields for records implicated in any CONSER work done  by MSUL.

These codes must be input into Folio using a 982 field in the MARC SRS record, per the formula below

Records that have had a 982 added in Folio must also have an administrative note added to the Instance record to aid retrieval, reading: conserstats

On the Instance record:

• Actions / Edit instance
• Add administrative note
• Type: conserstats
• Save and close

Formula for 982 field

Initials (3 characters) + Category (8 characters) + Year & Month (YYYYMM) (do not include plus signs)

Categories

Records newly authenticated as CONSER use: ConsAuth

Maintenance of records already authenticated as CONSER use: ConsMain

Maintenance of non-CONSER records in the course of CONSER cataloging use: ConsNull

Examples

• Joshua creates a new original record and authenticates it as CONSER: 
  • jpbConsAuth201707
• Emily closes off a CONSER record for a serial that has ceased:
  • emsConsMain201708
• Loretta adds a 785 to a non-CONSER record for a serial that is an earlier title to the one that she has already authenticated as CONSER
  • lefConsNull201709

Reporting CONSER statistics

CONSER statistics are reported to the PCC Directory in April and October. More information is available from the PCC. Statistics are collected from Folio and parsed in Excel, then input into the appropriate fiscal year in the PCC Directory.