• Article Type: General
• Product: Aleph
• Product Version: 17.01

Description:
Can one set two date values in 853x subfield 3 separated by commas to allow for a periodical that has a repeated pattern in one 12 month period, for example two volumes a year? I s that $x now obsolete?

Resolution:
1. From the "Staff User Guide for ver 17:
"Subfield $$x is used only in the 853 field and it indicates the chronological point at which the highest level increments or changes. Note that this information is not used by ALEPH for prediction purposes; ALEPH uses subfield $3 in the 853 field for this purpose."

2. No, you can't have 2 dates separated by commas in subfield $3. You should use 853 $u instead, to specify how many issues each volume contains.
For more details please see "Staff User Guide for ver 17", Serials - 85x-85xX Publication Patterns Fields.