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Extra care is required when handling records for incomplete bound volumes of serials. In alignment with Ranganathan's 4th law of library science ("Save the time of the reader"), the missing material should be clearly communicated to users so that they don't have to thumb through the item in order to see what is missing. The missing material should be recorded issues should have already been noted in the holdings record as well as in the call number for the bound volume when possible.part of the normal receiving process, but always verify that the information is actually there and edit the holdings record if necessary. Add a public note to the item to indicate the missing content:
Example: A serial is published 4 times a year and issues are sent for binding as each year is completed. However, issue number 3 from volume 19 (2024) is missing.
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- Enumeration A = 19
- Enumeration B = 1-2, 4
- Chronology I = 2024
- Chronology J = blank
- Description = v.19 no.1-2,4 2024 (this description is brief enough that we do not need to use "inc." here)2024 inc.
- Notes tab > Public note = v.19 no.3 missing
Example: A serial is published monthly and issues are sent for binding as each year is completed. However, the August issue (number 8) is missing from volume 5 (1994).
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- Enumeration A = 5
- Enumeration B = 1-7, 9-12
- Chronology I = 1994
- Chronology J = Jan.-July, Sept.-Dec.
If there was no 11-character line limit on spine labels, the description could be v.5 no.1-5,7-12 Jan.-July,Sept.-Dec. 1994 but it is too long and hard to read. Instead, use "inc." at the end of the call number and provide detailed information in the holdings record.
- Description = v.5 1994 inc.
The missing issue should have already been noted in the holdings record as part of the normal receiving process, but always verify that the information is actually there and edit the holdings record if necessary:
866 41 $$8 0 $$a v.5:no:1 (1994:Jan.)-v.5:no.7 (1994:July), v.5:no:9 (1994:Sept.)-v.5:no.12 (1994:Dec.)It can be helpful to add a public note ($$z) to let users know what is missing. The note should be user-friendly and does not have to adhere to input conventions. Here is the same 866 field with an added public note:
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- Description = v.5 1994 inc.
- Notes tab > Public note = v.5 no.8 (August 1994) missing