Serials and Periodicals:
Should I Create an Item or an HOL?
When cataloging new titles, or adding to an existing title, it can be confusing to know whether to create item records, HOL records with formatted 85X/86X fields, or both. Here are general guidelines:
- Loose pieces without barcode, not ready to bind
- Create item records, coding the first box in 85X Type/Linking Number on Tab 1 with a 3. This causes the piece to display to the public in the Holdings area IN ADDITION to the display in the All Items area of the OPAC.
- Send loose items to the receiving unit.
- Loose pieces without barcode, ready to be bound. (This situation arises when we add many loose issues at once because of a backfile purchase; also with very old loose issues from backlogs)
- Create HOL record; do not create item records (This makes it easier for the binding unit to bind the items as they feel most appropriate.)
- Send loose pieces to the binding unit, being sure to tell them you have not yet created items.
- Volumes with barcodes
- Create item records, making sure the first box in 85X Type/Linking Number on Tab 1 is blank.
- Create HOL records for the bound items as usual.
NOTE: In adding matieral to older records, be aware that the 85X Type/Linking Number codes will ONLY work properly if the HOL fields have been converted from 866 to 85X/86X pairs. You will need to convert the holdings. When cataloging new material, please create an 853 field if one is not already present.
Please feel free to consult with your supervisor or the Principal Serials Cataloger with any doubtful cases.
Indexed:
Serials and Periodicals: Should I Create an Item or an HOL?
Serials and Periodicals: Should I Create an Item or an HOL?
Serials and Periodicals: Should I Create an Item or an HOL?
Prepared by: Naomi Young
Updated: February 10, 2006
