Query over combining editions

[Greg]

I recently added an edition of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I'm not able to combine this with other editions as the title of this version is on page 2 of the combine editions feature, while other versions are on page 1. Does this require a super librarian to do this?

[Paula]

No, the work around is to add a word or I add my initials to each edition title, then filter on my initial or word to pull both editions on to one page.

Combine, then edit the titles to remove my initials / word

[Greg]

Oh I see. That's a clever way around the issue. Thanks :)

Is there any rule regarding the relative content of different editions? In this case, the book contains just the Jekyll & Hyde story, while other editions appear to include additional stories.

[Michail]

If different editions of a collection of stories include different stories, even if they're published under the same collection title, they should be added as separate books, with a librarian's note explaining that the content is different, so that they shouldn't be combined.

[Greg]

The plot thickens! OK, so don't combine the book but add a librarian's note explaining why. Thanks Michail!

[Sandi]

It should still be combined with other editions, as long as they contain the same. Don't combine with The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Tales of Terror for example.

[Greg]

Thanks for combining those editions, Sandi. :) I was just about to do it now but saw it was already done.

I notice, though, that some editions that have been combined with it are the longer ones with the other tales included, e.g. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories, which is 303pp long as opposed to 122pp in the case of the edition I added. Should this be the case?

[vicki_girl]

No it should not. However, with classic authors this happens all the time.

I could go on rant here about how frustrating this is to sort out (and then see someone combine them all again, rinse, and repeat), but I'll stop now. :S

I suppose it gives us librarians something to do to keep to us off the streets. ;)

[Greg]

LOL re: keeping us off the streets!

Would it be worthwhile drawing up a list of classics that pose special problems in combining editions so that issues like this could be highlighted? The list could be made as a sticky topic with the request that all librarians read it.

[ambyr]

The best solution I can find is just putting librarian notes on everything; that way at least it's easy to figure out what needs to be separated how when someone helpfully hits autocombine again.

(see, for example, George R.R. Martin's books)