NC Cardinal Support and Staff Education Home → Cataloging Best Practices → Item Cataloging → Use of Single Bib Record for Books
2.7. 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 the following ways:
- Editions with different content (i.e. Special edition vs. No edition statement, First edition vs. Second edition or revised editions)
- Different print sizes (i.e. Large print or Larger print vs. regular print vs. something without print size labelled) {Follow the specific large print recommendations in the NC Cardinal MARC Templates when applicable.}
- Classics that include a special foreword or analysis vs. Classics without this additional material
- Illustrated editions vs. text-only editions
- Different illustrator or translator
- Different format (i.e. E-book vs print material)
In these scenarios, a separate bib record is required.