Multi-volume works (monographs-in parts) that are part of classed-together series can have call numbers which are sometimes hard for patrons and some public services staff to interpret. This is particularly the case when each volume (published or unpublished) in the multi-volume set is a non-consecutively numbered volume in a series. Older cataloging practice called for putting the volume numbers in a 490 1b but tracing the series in an 830 field to reflect only the first numbered part, e.g.:
490 1b Queen’s papers in pure and applied mathematics ; |v no. <58, 61, 67, 76>830 b0 Queen’s papers in pure and applied mathematics ; |v. no. 58, etc.
This practice has created some difficulties for people searching in Barton for a given volume of the series, as it is only possible to do such a search, if one does a title word and note word search, rather than a series title search (SE=) . [Note: Series Word with Note Word is another search one can do which will retrieve the volume sought.]
Today, LC traces the series whenever possible in a 440 and puts any temporary volume numbers (unreceived/unpublished volumes) in angle brackets. However, LC still creates an 830, if the form of the name of the series differs from its transcription. In such a case LC repeats all the volume numbering in the 830, as we are going to be doing . [Note: We are only going to be doing this with new records or when updating continuations. ]
However, the way in which "etc." call numbers have been recorded in the item record display creates problems for preservation services (they cannot use automatic label-making) and creates an unnecessarily crowded and, perhaps, confusing display for patrons. Following our old procedure, the Queens papers example above, the item records displayed like this:
1. Science Stacks / QA3.K55 no. 58 etc. no. 58
2. Science Stacks / QA3.K55 no. 58 etc. no. 61
3. Science Stacks / QA3.K55 no. 58 etc. no. 67
4. Science Stacks / QA3.K55 no. 58 etc. no. 76Adhering to LC’s practice, these items now display:
1. Science Stacks / QA3.K55 no. 58
2. Science Stacks / QA3.K55 no. 61
3. Science Stacks / QA3.K55 no. 67
4. Science Stacks / QA3.K55 no. 76Formerly, the volume of the specific item was entered in the volume designation. Under the new procedure, in line with LC's, the volume of a specific item becomes part of the base call number.
Example of item level record.Apart from simplifying the display for patrons, this allows Preservation Services to create the call number labels automatically for these titles, since the call number in the item matches the call number as written by catalogers on the title page verso.
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Submitted by Colleen Valente; last updated by Gordon Thomas on 020516.