Procedures for Print-on-demand

Department: Technical Services, Christopher Library and Law Library

Procedure: Print-on-Demand (“POD”) Book Cataloging

September 30, 2010, updated April 8, 2011

Purpose: To provide guidelines for catalogers creating or editing records for purchased or donated "print-on-demand" ("POD") books.

What is a "print-on-demand" book?

1. Some print-on-books are obtained in this format because the original book is no longer in print and is unavailable for purchase. An order causes the publisher/supplier to make a digital copy of the original book, and print a single copy of the book for the purchaser. This reproduction (reprint) is a "print-on-demand" book, and is the substitute for the original that is otherwise unavailable.

When reproduced, these books will often have a printing statement about the reproduction near the beginning of the book. Additionally, most will have a printing date, sometimes a location date, and sometimes the phrase "print-on-demand" on the last page of the book (colophon.)

2. Other print-on-demand books are, in a sense, “born digital.” There was no physical first edition, but a digital copy of the author's work was made by a publisher. This allows individual copies of the book to be printed when ordered. Some of these publishers specialize in producing books for authors who wish to publish their own work, usually for a fee.

These books will usually have print-on-demand information - the date of printing, perhaps the location,and sometimes the phrase "print-on-demand" - on the colophon. However, there are books without this information, and the lack of a publisher on the title page or verso is the clue that the book is privately published as a print-on-demand book. Take information about the printer and date and include it the "print-on-demand" statement in the catalog record.

3. However, many publishers are now also keeping digital copies of books they have published recently, and are making individual print-on-demand copies when books from the original physical publication are no longer available.

In addition to publishing information on the title page and verso, these books will have print-on-demand information on the colophon - date, sometimes location, and sometimes a "print-on-demand" statement. Also, the verso may have the statement, "Transferred to digital printing [date]" for these books.

Overview: The Valparaiso University libraries will follow Library of Congress Rule Interpretations (LCRI), rules 1.11A (updated Aug. 2010), and 2.7B7 (updated Sep. 1, 1992). with minimal exceptions, as noted below.

Cataloging summary:

When cataloging a print-on-demand reproduction of a previously published book that is not otherwise obtainable (as described in 1., above.)

Transcribe bibliographic data appropriate to the original work being reproduced, as specified in LCRI 1.11A 1. Date type is “s” and Date1 is the date of the original work. Whenever possible, use an existing OCLC record that describes the original work.

For our reproduction print-on-demand copy, add MARC field 533 to transcribe information relating to our specific copy, as in LCRI 1.11A 3). The term we will use for an on-demand reproduction in 533 |a is “Reprint.” (Library of Congress usage for these reproductions,as specified in LCRI 2.7B7, is "Photocopy." However, we will use the term "Photocopy" only for reproductions that appear to be done by actual photo-duplication.) Include the separate ISBN of the print-on-demand copy, if available, in 533 |n. Also add this separate ISBN in an 020 field.

Example 1(a): 533 Reprint.|bLaVergne, Tenn.,|d2010.|e23 cm.|nISBN 9781432555269. (This 533 is from the record for Horace Mann : his ideas and ideals, .b15696443 in our catalog.)

Other examples are in LCRI 1.11A.

Also add the field, 590 “Print-on-demand, [exact date]”—Colophon. If the print-on-demand date is given somewhere other than in the reproduction, record that place. Print-on-demand information is usually given on the last page (colophon) but may be on the title page verso. If the information specifically states "print-on-demand" include that phrase in quotations in the 590 field. If "print-on-demand" is not stated, but the date for a reproduction is given, include the phrase in brackets, i.e. [Print-on-demand] followed by the date given in quotations.

Example 1(c): 590 [Print on demand] "28 November 2010" – Colophon.

Adding the 590 field is useful in two ways. It helps the library user by giving precise information for our specific reproduction. Also, cataloging of print-on-demand may change with the implementation of RDA, and we need to be able to identify records already in our catalog. The 590 Print on demand field helps the library, because this field will allow us to to search for these records in the list function of Galileo.

When cataloging "born digital" print-on-demand" books, (as described in 2, above.)

For recent “born digital” books, generally, using a 533 field will not add useful information, e.g. books in our collection published by Praxis. Therefore, omit the 533 field. Use the information from the title page, verso of title page, or front cover to identify and use the appropriate record in OCLC. Then add the 590 field with date information, usually from the colophon, for our copy. Include the ISBN in |n, only if a separate one is given for our copy. Do not include a location which may be shown on the colophon, in the 590 field.

Example 2: 590 [Print on demand] "2 June, 2010" – Colophon. (This 590 is from our record for Praxis social studies 10081 teacher certification exam, .b15696443.)

When cataloging a print-on-demand copy of a book which was recently published in a physical edition, (as described in 3, above.)

Use the information from the title page, verso of title page, or front cover to identify and use the appropriate record in OCLC. Then add the 590 field with date information, usually from the colophon, for our copy, but do not include a location which may be shown on the colophon.

Example 3: 590 [Print on demand] "26 February 2011."--Colophon. (This is from our record for Lie groups, .b15869544.)

If the statement, "Transfered to digital printing [date]" is given, do not include this in our record.

After editing, update our holdings on OCLC Connexion and export into Galileo.

Naomi Goodman, Cataloger, Christopher Library;
Beverly Burmeister, Cataloging Services Librarian, Valparaiso Univ. Law Library.