The Library of the Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona, Spain) has began a
process in order to lower its level of cataloging (and thus saving time and
resources).

In the domain of serials cataloging I have used until now AACR2 2nd level.
I've been studying AACR2 1st level, AACR2 1st level augmented and CONSER.
Right now, I feel confused.

I would appreciate guidance, counsel (and more information) in some matters.
Please excuse me if some of my questions sound too obvious to US serials
catalogers, but I'm a librarian from another country. These are the questions:

1. Which is the usual cataloging level for serials in US University Libraries:
AACR2 1st level, 1st level augmented, 2nd level, CONSER level or others.

2. Do you use exactly the same level for both serials and monographs, different
levels or the same but with some differences.

3. I would like to know if some libraries have lowered their level recently.
Can you tell me about the results, especially related to satisfaction of
patrons and good retrieval of information?

4. I would be especially interested about which information you include in
245 and 260 fields.

5. About notes , I would like to know which ones are considered mandatory,
which ones not and which ones "it depends on ...":
        1. Linking notes.
        2. Frequency notes.
        3. "Description based on" note.
        4. Numbering peculiarities.
        5. Title variations.
        6. Supplements.
        7. Issuing bodies.
        8. Indexes.
        9. Language/s.
        10. Contents.
        11. Others.

Please respond directly to me (e-mail: montanya@upf.es) or to the list if
you consider the answer could be of general interest.

Thanks in advance (and forgive me for my poor English).

Rosa Montanya

Pompeu Fabra University. Library. Cataloging Department.