The Ohio State University

The following is an explanation of differences that may be apparent in the presentation of descriptive information for multi-volume works in an LCS catalog record (FBR) vs. that information as displayed in the LCS holdings file in association with the short record.

Description of a title published in more than one volume is found in the appropriate MARC record field as 2v., 3v., etc., and is so displayed in the LCS catalog record (FBR). Such information may also be recorded in the LCS holdings file. In some cases, bibliographic volumes of a work, as represented in a catalog record, may subsequently be bound together, or divided by OSU, a fact which must be represented in the holdings record.

In brief, the catalog record describes the bibliographic state of the work when it was cataloged, while the holdings file should show the most current status of physical pieces. When such changes occur, re-cataloging is not appropriate, as the original bibliographic description remains correct. OSU's treatment of the pieces should be reflected in changes to the holdings file.

Examples of how a multi-volume title may be described in an LCS catalog record (FBR):

2 v. (When two bibliographic vols. are also published in two physical volumes)

3 v. in 2 (When, say, v.2 and v.3 are actually published in one physical volume, thus making a set in 2 physical volumes)

Examples of how bibliographic volumes of multi-volume works would be described in the LCS holdings file:

v1 (when in 2 physical vols.)
v2

v1 (When v.2 and v.3 are in one physical vol.)
v2-3

Please note that if, at some time after cataloging, OSU binds volumes differently from the way they were acquired --for example, if a title had been published, and therefore cataloged, in 5 volumes, and OSU binds v.2 and v.3 together and v.4 and 5 together, information will appear in LCS as follows:

• In the catalog record (FBR) as 5 v.
  
• In the holdings file as:
  • v1
    
  • v2-3
    
  • v4-5

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