Home → Cataloging Bibliographic Records → Editing MARC Records → Series Statement
Last Updated 03/06/2026
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A series statement identifies a resource's belonging to a series and its numbering within it, possibly including subseries details and responsibility statements. Key fields for series statements include the 490 field for series transcription and one of the 8XX fields for authorized headings. The obsolete 440 field should be replaced with a 490 field if found. Series statements should not be included in the 245 Title Statement, except for manga and graphic novels where it may appear in the title following specific formatting rules.
“A statement identifying a series to which a resource belongs and the numbering of the resource within the series. A series statement may also include information identifying one or more subseries to which the manifestation being described belongs. A series statement sometimes includes statements of responsibility relating to a series or subseries. The information relating to one series, or one series and one or more subseries, constitutes one series statement” RDA Glossary.
The following fields are used for a series statement:
Do NOT use 440 field. This field is obsolete, so if you see it in a MARC record, either delete it or replace it with a 490 field.
Use only one 8XX field for a series (e.g. do not use both 800 and 830 in the same record).
Transcribe the series in the 490 field from your preferred source of information. You can check the Library of Congress to see if a series is traced at https://authorities.loc.gov/.
The first indicator in the 490 field is based on whether the series is traced or not.
=490 0\$aA Charley Davidson novel ;$v5
=490 1\$aThe Dark-hunters
=800 1\$aKenyon, Sherrilyn,$d1956-$tDark-hunter novel.
Do NOT add a series statement to the 245 Title Statement.
For example:
=245 10$aFifth grave past the light :$bCharley Davidson, book 5 /$cDarynda Jones.
Is incorrect.
However, it should be noted that a special exception is made for manga and graphic novels, as outlined here in the Graphic Novels and Manga section of the Knowledge Book.
The series statement for manga and graphic novels should still appear in the appropriate 490 and 8XX fields, but due to the nature of these materials, it is acceptable to include the series in the title, so long as it follows these examples:
=245 10$aJustice League.$nVolume 7,$pGalaxy of terrors
=245 10$aDaredevil.$nVol. 5,$pTruth/dare
=245 10$aHilo.$nBook 5,$pThen everything went wrong
=245 10$a My hero academia.$n Vol. 9,$pMy hero
For a more detailed explanation of how to handle series statements with regard to manga and graphic novels, click the link above.