Test preparation books with accompanying media

The rules on this page have been approved in concept by the SCRAP committee, but the exact wording is still being adjusted. Please use these rules. Please send any feedback to SCRAP.

Test preparation books are increasingly being issued with varying forms of accompanying material, such as CD-ROMs. Sometimes separate bibliographic records exist on OCLC for the book alone, the book with CD-ROM, and other book/accompanying material combinations. More often, one bibliographic record describes the book and its varying accompanying materials. Some sample titles are: Master the GRE CAT and The unofficial guide to the ACT.

Variations in accompanying material for test preparation books, alone, should not warrant a new bibliographic record in CCS.

Describe any variations in accompanying material in an existing record, using a note:

500 Issued in book-only and book+CD versions.

Transcribe ISBNs for the accompanying material if applicable. Additional differences besides accompanying material may warrant a new record, depending on the circumstances.

If there is no bibliographic record in CCS, use an OCLC record which best describes the item in hand. If no OCLC record exists, consult the Serials section, AACR2, LCRI, etc. to determine whether the item should be entered as a monograph or a serial and then create a new record on OCLC. The aforementioned section of this manual also discusses how to proceed if a monograph or a serial record, or both, exists in OCLC. Note that for OCLC standards, if the only difference between the item in hand and an existing record is accompanying material, a new record should not be created in most instances. Consult OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards for further information.

It is suggested, but not required, that libraries designate their copies locally to indicate which accompanying material(s) go with their copies, at the end of call numbers, as follows (Item records cited below are for the title, Master the GRE CAT [ocm44741029], 2002 volume):

item for book and CD-ROM: 378.1662 G786ma|z2002 w/CD-ROM

item for book only: 378.1662 G786ma|z2002

It is helpful to update the item records as accompanying material changes (e.g. is lost or stolen). Libraries may receive only the book, or the book with a CD-ROM, or the book with other accompanying material, or any other combination. Providing specific information regarding accompanying material in the item(s)/copies records facilitate interlibrary loan requests and provides helpful information for patrons and staff.

[still working on this, to see if there were new national rules since 2001. KL]