Serials Continuations Definitions
These definitions are under review as of July 2020 — Contact: Ann Kardos
Broad definition of what types of serials and continuations used by this Library:
Continuing Resource
Bibliographic resources that are issued over time with no predetermined conclusion. Serials and integrating resources are both continuing resources.
Integrated Resources
A continuing resource that is added to or changed by means of updates that do not remain discrete (i.e., they cannot stand alone as a serial issue could), and are integrated into the whole publication. Looseleaf and certain legal publications with updates or changes are examples of integrating resources. Integrating resources may have an intended end or may be a serial.
Periodical (ALEPH term - Per)
A serial publication, published more than once per year, usually numbered, including separate articles by different authors, and intended to be published indefinitely into the future until it ceases publication, is merged with another title, or title changes. Newspapers are a form of periodical.
Serial ( ALEPH term - Ser Add)
A continuing resource, usually numbered, that is intended to be published indefinitely into the future until it ceases publication, is merged with another title, or title changes. We consider a title to be a serial if it is published annually or less frequently. We also consider as serials publications issued on a serial basis, regardless of frequency, that do not contain separate articles by different authors. we consider an index or abstract that is published more frequently than annually as a serial not periodical because of the content. The frequency, in this case, is ignored.
Analyzed Serials (ALEPH term - Ser Anal) Intended to by published into the future; assigned one call number, but usually each volume deals with one distinct topic and warrants an author/title entry in the OPAC. All volumes sit together on shelf.
Continuation (ALEPH term - Contin A/V)
Published in volumes, but is intended to be cease or be complete. A general encyclopedia A to Z, the complete works of an individual, or an encyclopedia of shore birds are good examples of continuations. Sometimes all volumes are published at once, sometimes published one at a time.
Analyzed Continuation (ALEPH term - Contin Anal)
Intended to be published in a certain number of volumes like an ordinary continuation, and is assigned one classification number for all volumes; however, each work is a monograph within itself and has individual author/title entries in the OPAC.
Cataloged Separately (ALEPH term - Cat Sep)
These are numbered monographs in series. We have had “cover records” this type of publication to maintain control over receipt, and also to save us from placing separate orders for them. Cover records also list holdings by the series number, which can be very helpful to users with the series as a citation (sciences and engineering particularly)
Continuation Cataloged Separately (ALEPH term - Contin Cat Sep)
Intended to be published in a specific number of volumes, like an ordinary continuation. However, each work is a monograph within itself and has individual author/title entry in the OPAC. The volumes are assigned their own call numbers.
Memberships/blanket orders
Several of these are payment records only, with an indication on the checkin record of what is received on the membership or blanket order. If it is a blanket order, we usually enter the monographs received under title and send them through as “cat seps”.
For further definitions see: Glossary of IRM Terms
For further information on serials and workflows see:
There is currently no documentation for Reinstatement (not needed, add new issue or re-catalogue as required)
For questions on definitions: — Primary contact: Lucy deGozzaldi
