When comparing the book in hand to an OCLC record, evaluate the record to determine if it matches your book, using OCLC's "When to input a new record" criteria.
The criteria that may justify a new record are presented below. If your book does not match a record, either search again for a matching record or set aside for original cataloging.
| Element | Notes |
| 010 | LCCN: A difference in numbers may justify a new record. Compare field 245 through 5xx for other differences to justify a new record. |
| 020 | ISBN: Absence or presence of field does not justify a new record. A difference in field alone does not justify a new record. Compare fields 245 through 5xx for other differences to justify a new record. |
| 040 ‡b | Language of cataloging: Presence of field and subfield indicating a language other than English justifies a new record. Note: never use a record that indicates a language other than English in 040 ‡b. |
| 1XX | Absence, presence or difference in choice or form of 1xx fields do not justify a new record |
| 245 ‡a | Title proper: Specific differences in the wording of the title proper justify a new record. For exceptions or minor variations, see OCLC's "When to input a new record." |
| 245 ‡b | Remainder of title: Absence or presence of subfield does not justify a new record. To justify a new record, use the criteria under field 245 ‡a |
| 250 ‡a |
Edition Statement: The following differences justify a new record:
For minor variations that do not justify a new record, see OCLC's "When to input a new record." |
| 250 ‡b | Absence or presence of the field and subfield does not justify a new record; however, a difference may be an indication that a new record is needed. |
| 260 ‡a | Place of publication: Difference in place of publication justifies a new record. For variations that do not justify a new record, see OCLC's "When to input a new record." |
| 260 ‡b | Name of publisher: Specific differences in the publisher justify a new record. For variations in recording of names that do not justify a new record, see OCLC's "When to input a new record." |
| 260 ‡c | Date of publication: Difference in date of publication justifies a new record. For variations in printing or copyright dates that do not justify a new record, see OCLC's "When to input a new record." |
| 264 | For RDA records using field 264 in place of 260, use criteria for field 260 above. |
| 300 ‡a | Extent: Specific differences in the extent of the item justify a new record. For minor variations that do not justify a new record, see OCLC's "When to input a new record." |
| 300 ‡e | Accompanying material: Absence or presence of subfields indicating substantive accompanying material may justify a new record. Compare 5xx fields for actual differences in the absence or presence of accompanying material. |
| 4xx | Series: Absence or presence of fields does not justify a new record; however, if the item is issued in a different series, a new record is justified. |
| 5xx | Notes indicating differences in the language, edition, format, or content of the item may justify a new record. |
| 5xx | Notes indicating the presence of accompanying material may justify a new record. See also criteria under field 300, subfield ‡e. |
| 501 | "With" note: Absence, presence or difference in field justifies a new record |
| 505 | Contents: A contents note showing actual differences in the content of the item justifies a new record. |