Home → Cataloging in NC Cardinal → Merging Bib Records → Use of Single Bib Record for Books
Books with the exact same content and in the same format should be combined on the same bibliographic record, even if non-content features such as binding, publisher, shape, size, and pagination differs. The intention is for the NC Cardinal catalog to be as patron friendly as possible to simplify searching, even in cases where official cataloging rules might recommend creating multiple separate records.
Do use a single bibliographic record for books when content is exactly the same to combine:
Do NOT use a single bib record for books when the items differ from one another in any of the ways listed below. In these scenarios, a separate bib record is required.
Different editions only require separate bibliographic records if you can clearly identify different content, as when nonfiction materials are updated/revised. In most cases, fiction "editions" that only signify different printings of the same content (1st printing vs 10th printing) do not require separate bibliographic records unless there are clear revisions. Revised fiction editions do occur, in classic literature for example, where there may be different translations, scholarly footnotes or forewords, etc., which would constitute different content and require separate bibliographic records.
Non-fiction materials should be scrutinized more heavily. Do not merge new editions of non-fiction books.
Use the following fields to determine if you need to create a new record.
020 |
ISBN |
If the ISBN on your copy matches an ISBN on the record, merge. Different ISBNs may still be merged, but should be checked to ensure the core content matches. |
1xx/7xx |
Author/illustrator/translator |
Do not merge titles with different authors, illustrators, or translators. |
245 |
Title and statement of responsibility |
The title as listed in $a should match. If other subfields contain differences, the editions should be checked to ensure the core content matches. |
250 |
Edition |
For fiction, only revised editions should get separate records. Most non-fiction should have separate records for different editions. |
3xx |
Physical description |
Use this field to determine if there are significant differences in pagination. If there are, determine why, and if the reason constitutes a major change to the core content. |
490/8xx |
Series |
If the series statement does not match, check to ensure the core content matches. |