Overview
ISO 7275:1985 - Documentation - Presentation of title information of series specifies the elements and presentation rules required to identify a publication series and its parts. The standard helps publishers, editors and cataloguers present a series title so it can be uniquely and consistently recognised across volumes, facilitating acquisition, bibliographic recording and long-term retrieval. Key topics include where the series title should appear, how it relates to volume titles and numbering, handling parallel titles in multiple languages, and notification when a series title changes.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Elements required: identification elements for a series and its constituent parts (series title, sub‑series title, numbering, responsible body).
- Unique identification: the series title should allow only one identification to distinguish it from other series.
- Consistency of form: the same text and spelling of the series title must be used consistently on covers, title pages, tables of contents and indexes across all volumes.
- Placement recommendations:
- Preferably on a separate series title page (verso of the half‑title) to distinguish from the individual volume title.
- If not possible, place above the volume title on the title page, on the cover, spine or the first page of the item (e.g., first page of cover).
- Numbering: if volumes are consecutively numbered, the volume number should follow or be clearly connected to the series title.
- Parallel titles and languages: if a series has parallel titles in two or more languages, the order and languages used must remain unchanged across volumes.
- Title changes: once established, the series title should not be altered. If a new title is introduced, notify in advance and include a note in volumes showing previous titles and impacted volumes.
- Series identifiers: the collection (series) should be assigned an ISSN where appropriate and the ISSN should appear as close as possible to the series title; individual volumes may also carry ISBNs.
Applications and Users
Who benefits from ISO 7275:1985:
- Publishers and series editors - to design title pages, covers and spine information that meet bibliographic best practice.
- Librarians and cataloguers - to create consistent bibliographic records and aid acquisitions and serials management.
- Bibliographers, indexers and procurement teams - to identify and track series across changes and multiple languages.
Practical uses include improving discoverability in catalogs, ensuring consistency for serial acquisitions, and aiding automated metadata ingestion.
Related Standards
- ISO 3297 - International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- ISO 1086 - Title leaf of a book
- ISO 2108 - ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
- ISO 6357 - Spine titles of books and other publications
Keywords: ISO 7275:1985, documentation, presentation of title information of series, series title, ISSN, ISBN, bibliographic description, publishers, librarians.
