Proper numbering of series? For a Mod Pls

[Tiff]

Hi, I can't find any way to message a moderator so I hope it's okay to post this issue here. I was a GR librarian years ago and just getting back into it now. I'm a tad rusty. Trying to confirm how to list series' properly and/or alert of a potential issue.

Should series still be listed as:
Book Name (Series name, #X)? (with just the series name [not the word SERIES] and just the number sign with a number [not the word BOOK])?

I'm asking because this is how I remember it being done; but since my return, I am seeing an astronomical amount of series listed this way instead:

ABC book (ABC 'series', 'book' X).... someone is typing out the word SERIES in parenthesis as well as the word BOOK (aren't both of these redundant because of the series page and the # sign)?

I'm also seeing extremely long subtitles added too (probably because it's on the cover)... are we really supposed to add them like that?

Examples:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Examples show the words SERIES and BOOK, as well as super freaking long subtitles lol.

I'd think these books could be listed far cleaner as:
"Declutter Your Mind (Mindfulness, #1)"
"The Legend of Korra (The Art of the Animated, #1)"
"Hacking School Discipline (Hack Learning, #22)"

Just trying to make sure I'm doing things right, and/or alert other librarians about this if that's not how it should be done.

Thanks :)

[Mantvydas]

Hi,

a title should have a book name. Adding series to the title is optional, but really helpful when searching. Search doesn't consider series a searchable parameter.

It can be either Book Title (Series, #) or Book Title (Series #). A comma is not required but allowed. More on naming rules: https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/...

Words like book and series should be removed. Word series is always added to the series name on the series page. E.g. https://www.goodreads.com/series/3286...
The series name is DJ Benson Adventure, but it adds Series at the end.

Subtitles are kind of tricky. It's only allowed if available on the cover and it has to be explanatory. So it mostly applies to nonfiction. If the subtitle just mentions the series name or genres of the book, it's not allowed.

In your examples, 1 and 3 wouldn't be considered series since they only share a common theme. Goodreads only consider books a series if they share characters and/or world/universe.

The second example is beyond my expertise. Manga/comics/graphic novels are weird and specific so I leave it to someone else to inspect.

I would give another look at the Librarian manual to refresh your memory: https://help.goodreads.com/s/topic/0T... and if you have any other questions I'd be happy to answer them.

[Sharon]

Hi: I just joined this group & have done questions on how it works. Who can I contact to get me started?

[Tiff]

Mantvydas wrote: "In your examples, 1 and 3 wouldn't be considered series since they only share a common theme. Goodreads only consider books a series if they share characters and/or world/universe..."

Lol yeah those examples weren’t the best for sure, they were the first ones my eyes saw from a quick search, I didn’t take the time to study before posting, my bad. Really appreciate your thoughtful response Mantvydas (and the link to the manual). This helps me a lot 🙂👍 thanks!!

[Arenda]

Sharon wrote: "Hi: I just joined this group & have done questions on how it works. Who can I contact to get me started?"

Joining this group doesn't make you a Librarian. Also see this Help page: https://help.goodreads.com/s/article/...

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Tiff wrote: "ABC book (ABC 'series', 'book' X).... someone is typing out the word SERIES in parenthesis as well as the word BOOK (aren't both of these redundant because of the series page and the # sign)?"

That is how the imports come from Amazon, where they aren't so picky as to form.

Your memory as to how things should be in the title field is correct, though the comma is optional.

And a follow-up note, the series name *is* included in search results when it is part of the title. However, series themselves are searchable only via an outside search engine here:

https://www.goodreads.com/series

[Tiff]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "That is how the imports come from Amazon, where they aren't so picky as to form."

Oh wow, I didn’t think about imports. That certainly explains why I’m seeing so many with all that gobbledygook typed in the title. Makes me feel better that it isn’t a librarian error. Thanks Elizabeth!

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Mantvydas wrote: "Word series is always added to the series name on the series page."

Almost always. Our series parser recognizes a few words as being analogous to series. ("Trilogy" is one of them.)

Also, a general comment: As has been demonstrated, we have quite a few knowledgeable librarians. Summoning me to answer general questions of policy and practice is not usually necessary.