NLNZ guidance: Describing units of larger manifestations

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LocalPolicy

2026/03/06

NLNZ guidance: Describing units of larger manifestations

Where there is evidence that the resource being described is a unit of a larger manifestation, this can affect how many metadata description sets are required. You may need to:

  • Create a metadata description set for the unit only
  • Create a metadata description set for the larger manifestation only
  • Create metadata description sets for both the unit and the larger manifestation

Begin by determining whether there is evidence that the work that is manifested in the larger manifestation can be considered a series. See NLNZ guidance: Static works in series for the criteria for evidence to make this determination.

Create a metadata description set for the unit only

Use this approach for:

  • fiction static works in series;
  • unnumbered series;
  • all other resources where the work that is manifested in the larger manifestation is not:
    • a serial work, or
    • a podcast series

A separate metadata description set will not be created for the larger manifestation.

Recording values of Manifestation: title of manifestation

In the metadata description set for the unit where the work that is manifested in the larger manifestation is a series, follow NLNZ guidance: Static works in series.

In the metadata description set for the unit where the work that is manifested in the larger manifestation does not meet the required evidence to be considered a series, treat the appellation for the larger work as a common title when recording a value of Manifestation: title proper for the unit.

Create a metadata description set for the larger manifestation only

Use this approach for manifestations of serial works and multiple unit manifestations:

  • where the units do not have individual titles; or
  • where the units have generic titles (e.g. Overview, General guidance, Final report, Summary, etc.) ; or
  • where the user does not benefit from subject analysis of the individual units; or
  • where describing individual units is not sustainable

Recording values of Manifestation: title of manifestation

Treat the appellation for the larger manifestation as a common title when recording a value of Manifestation: title proper for the larger manifestation.

Create metadata description sets for both the unit and the larger manifestation

Use this approach where:

  • the work that is manifested in the larger manifestation is:
    • a serial work, or
    • a podcast series, and
  • the issues have individual titles, and
  • each issue has a value of Manifestation: numbering within sequence, and
  • the user benefits from subject analysis of the individual issues