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Home > Minerva > Cataloging > Manual > Ch 9: Series Areas - MARC 4XX Fields

Chapter 9: Series Areas - MARC 4XX Fields

Series areas

A series is a group of separate items each with its own title proper but that share a collective title, one that applies to the group as a whole. For example, the book Divorce and Child Custody is also part of a series entitled Ask a Lawyer . Cataloging information for the series area is taken from the chief source of information whenever possible. Enclose the name of the series, which is also called the series statement, in square brackets if it is not from the chief source of information.

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Series title accessed as given on an item: MARC 440 field (R)

If the series title appears on the item exactly the way the cataloger wants it to be searched it is entered in the 440 field. This field uses no ending punctuation.

The first indicator is blank and the second indicator is for nonfiling articles.

  • 0-9 Number of nonfiling characters
  • 440 3 An I can read book

This field may contain a variety of subfields. The most frequently used are listed below:

  • |a Title (NR)
    • 440 0 Joy of growing
  • |n Number of part/section of a work (R)
  • |p Name of part/section of a work (R)
    • 440 0 Architectural journal.|nPart C,|pWalks in New England
  • |v Volume number/sequential designation (NR)
    • 440 0 Folger Shakespeare Library slide set ;|vno. 2
  • |x International Standard Serial Number
    • 440 0 Special aspects of education,|x0731-8413 ;|vv.1

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Series not traced: MARC 490 0 field (R)

If a cataloger decides that the series title is not an appropriate access point as it appears on the item it is entered in the 490 field instead of the 440 field.

If no access is needed for the title, the first indicator is 0.

  • 0 Series not traced

Series title access in different form: MARC 490 1 field (R)

If a different form of access is preferred, the first indicator is 1 and the different access point is entered in an 8XX field. For example, if the series title on the item is Bulletin Number 5 it must be entered in the 490 field exactly as it appears, even if that is not the best way to make it accessible.

  • Series is traced differently in an 8XX field:
    • 490 1 Bulletin ;|vno. 5
  • 810 2 |University of Maine.|bAgricultural Extension Service.|tBulletin ;|vno. 5

Reminder: Only the first indicator is used and the second indicator is blank. The first indicator specifies whether the series is traced in an 8XX field or not.

This field may contain a number of subfields. The most frequently used are listed below.

  • |a Series statement (R)
  • |v Volume number/sequential designation (R)
  • |x International Standard Serial Number (NR)

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Recording a series title

Title proper: Subfield |a

The title proper of the series area is recorded exactly as it appears on the item. Other title information is seldom included.

  • 245 10 Barbie as princess bride|h[electronic resource].
  • 260 El Segundo , CA :bMattel,cc2000.
  • 300 1 compact disc :|bsd., col. ;|c3 1/4 in. +|einstruction manual
  • 440 3 An I can read book

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Statements of responsibility

Statements of responsibility related to a series are included only if they are considered helpful in identifying the series. The statement of responsibility is entered after a space, back slash, space. The 440 field does not include a subfield |c.

  • 440 0 Map supplement / Association of American Geographers

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ISSN of a series: Subfield |x

If the ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) of the series appears in an item, it should be included in the series area. The ISSN is useful for identification and ordering purposes. It is entered in the record preceded by a comma and subfield code |x.

  • 440 0 Contributions in ethnic studies,|x0196-7088

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Numbering within series: Subfield |v

Numbering given within the series is recorded as part of the series area. Abbreviations are used and arabic numerals are substituted for non-arabic numerals. The numbering element is preceded by space, semicolon and subfield code |v.

  • 440 0 Contributions in ethnic studies,|x0196-7088 ;|vno. 24

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Multiple series statements

If there is more than one series, each series is recorded as a separate series statement.

  • 440 0 Jossey-Bass management series
  • 440 0 Jossey-Bass