Encoding Level 3 records as preliminary data records
It is strongly recommended that Level 3 records not be used as Preliminary Data Records. Instead, manually create a brief record. Level 3 records are often merged in OCLC and may no longer be valid when the item is cataloged. Not using Level 3 records will also encourage catalogers to go back to OCLC at the time of cataloging to see if the record has been merged or upgraded, rather than just editing the existing record in the CCS database.
If a Level 3 record is used as a Preliminary Data Record, all appropriate fields must be corrected to CCS standards for these records. Most important is changing the 720 to 100, 110, 700 or 710 as appropriate, and checking it in the Authority File. The 260 or 264 field should also include the requisite ‡b and ‡c information, as this affects the display the online catalog. Only the first word in the title should begin with an upper case letter unless it is a proper name.