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W.E.B. Du Bois Library Cataloging Manual

TREATMENT OF ISBNS IN CATALOG RECORDS





CONTENTS

I. General guidelines
II. Additional instructions for copy cataloging
III. Added copies/volumes to existing titles; record revision
 
 

ISBNs are indexed in our Innopac system. Our policy is to include ISBN information in original catalog records and to examine and correct ISBNs in copy cataloging, following the guidelines given below.

I. General guidelines

ISBN information in catalog records will be most heavily used in Acquisitions functions, where the numbers will be accessed for problem-solving, reference, and duplication checks. Decisions outlined here regarding the number and types of ISBNs to include in records therefore reflect to a great extent the needs of the Acquisitions Department.
  A. The sources for ISBN information include the piece in hand, including dust jackets and CIP data and, for copy cataloging, the LC or OCLC record. No attempt should be made to obtain ISBN information from other sources.   B. ISBN information on LC or OCLC cataloging copy should be corrected if wrong to match information in the piece itself. If the Cataloger/Cataloging Assistant only suspects that ISBN information in the piece or on the copy is wrong, the number(s) should be put in subfield z of the 020 field, without further research to determine the correct ISBN.   C. If a piece contains ISBN information from two or more publishers, only the ISBN appropriate for the edition in hand should be given.   D. If ISBNs are given for the work as published in more than one location by the same publisher, include the ISBNs for all locations.   E. If there are both hardback and paperback ISBNs given in the piece, both should be given, regardless of which version is in hand. F. For multi-volume sets, use the ISBN for the set as a whole and the ISBN for the first volume. Add ISBNs for the other volumes of the set only if the volumes have truly distinctive titles or if the publisher changes mid-set.   G. In general, consider the use to which the information will be put by Acquisitions in its attempt to avoid duplicate orders. Also, keep in mind the Library's policies on what constitutes a duplicate vs. a different edition that would require a separate catalog record (for example, a different publisher would indicate a different edition, whereas a difference in the type of paper used for different printings generally would not).   Return to top of page

II. Additional instructions for copy cataloging

 
A. In general, ADD ISBNs to LC or OCLC records only as needed to bring the ISBN information up to the standards described in the general guidelines given above. LEAVE ISBNs for the edition in hand in the copy even if the information exceeds those standards.   B. Check ISBNs given in the copy against the piece in hand for accuracy, and correct them as needed. If there are no ISBNs in the copy, follow the general guidelines given above.

III. Added copies/volumes to existing titles; record revision

 A. Updating, correcting, or adding ISBN information is not a reason to initiate a revision to an existing record.   B. If other corrections need to be made to a record, ISBN information may also be modified to meet the standards outlined above.    

General guidelines
 


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11/29/93 - N1 / HTML 10/18/00

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