NLNZ guidance: Static works in series

This document sets out the NLNZ definition of a static work in series, and details what RDA elements to record in order to show the relationship between the static work and the series.

• What is a static work in series?
• Evidence is required
  • On the manifestation
  • Other evidence
• Recording series data
  • Manifestation elements
  • Work elements
  • A note on numbering
• New evidence
• Consistency of access points

What is a static work in series?

The RDA definition of a series is broad: “A set of manifestations that embody the parts of a work, the issues of a serial work, or the units of a manifestation.” Let’s park that and use a definition that is specific to this context.

The resource you are describing embodies a static work, one “that is planned to be embodied by a manifestation that results from a single act of publication or production” (RDA Glossary definition).

You think the static resource is in a series. To be considered a static work in series, the series has to be a diachronic work “that is planned to be embodied over time” (RDA Glossary definition). Specifically, it has to be a successive work, which is a “diachronic work that is planned to be realized by multiple distinct expressions” (RDA Glossary definition).

The NLNZ definition of a static work in series is:
    a static work that is in a series, and that series is a successive work.

Evidence is required

Unless there is other clear evidence, do not consider the following as evidence of this type of series:

• CIP data
• logos and/or mottos
• internal publisher numbers or report numbers

On the manifestation

Use the manifestation and how it represents itself as the primary evidence that the resource you are describing is in this type of series. This includes:

• a clear statement that the manifestation is in a series
• other evidence on the manifestation, such as an ISSN or a Parliamentary papers shoulder number
• reference to a series within the content, such as in an introduction or creator agent note

Other evidence

In the course of describing the resource in hand you have seen similar resources in the NLNZ database, and you think it may be in this type of series.

Check one or at most two external resources, such as:

• agent’s website
• publisher’s website

Recording series data

Series data is recorded at two entity levels: Manifestation and Work.

Recording Manifestation elements

• Record Manifestation: title of series and Manifestation: numbering within sequence as appropriate.
• When other resources in the series will not be acquired, record Manifestation elements only.

Recording Work elements

• Record Work: issue of

A note on numbering

Manifestation: numbering within sequence can apply to either issues or parts according to RDA. There is no work level element in RDA to record numbering of an issue. The RDA element Work: numbering of part cannot be used for numbering of an issue.

For information on recording work level numbering of an issue, see NLNZ encoding. Non-RDA MARC. Variable fields. 830v Volume/sequential designation

New evidence

• Evidence of a series may not become apparent until several resources have been published.
• New evidence does not mean a cataloguer’s previous decisions were inaccurate.
• It does mean you will have to:
  • assess the metadata descriptions sets for the previous resources
  • record the appropriate series data elements in these metadata descriptions sets

Consistency of access points

Authorized access points for series created under AACR2 and Original RDA look different to those created using Official RDA.

When you are cataloguing a static work in series, establish the series access point under Official RDA, then update the metadata descriptions sets for any previous resources in the series.

See NLNZ guidance: updating existing MARC21 bibliographic records in the NLNZ database.