E-Serials and CONSER Jean L. Hirons 27 Aug 1996 14:33 UTC
To: SERIALST, INTERCAT, AUTOCAT, E-MEDIA Dear Colleagues: I am writing to convey CONSER's "interim compromise" on the issue of how to catalog remote access versions of printed journals. I want to thank the many people who responded to my earlier messages for sharing their thoughts and concerns. We in CONSER have spent some time developing an approach that will retain the integrity of the CONSER record on national databases, while allowing for a "one-record" option that can be applied locally. I've used the term "interim" because we will reevaluate in six months and determine whether or not to continue or refine the policy. I'm calling this a "compromise" because that is what it is. As a national program, we must still prefer the creation of separate records in most cases in order that the national database carry the bibliographic details of electronic resources. However, we must also allow for a period of experimentation in order to determine whether there are viable alternatives, at least in some cases. The "compromise" is allowing CONSER catalogers to provide access to the online version THROUGH the paper record without separately cataloging the online version. We must be clear on the latter fact: we are not cataloging the electronic version on the paper record, only noting its existence. This is not a "single record cataloging approach," as many have wanted to call it. But, while it is important that CONSER participants adhere to the restrictions of the policy below in order to retain the integrity of the national database, locally they are free to add or subtract as much as they like. Following is are the guidelines that CONSER will be following. These will also be documented in upcoming updates to the __CONSER Editing Guide__ and Module 31 of the __CONSER Cataloging Manual__. We will also make the policy available on the CONSER homepage (http://lcweb.loc.gov/acq/conser/homepage.htm) TWO RECORDS: [Both records are being created or one already exists] * Link using field 776 in both records * Add the 530/856 in both records. [Note: LC will create separate records.] ONE RECORD: [The cataloger/institution has chosen not to create a separate record for the e-serial] * Add 530/856 to the record for paper (or other original) * If a separate record is later created by another CONSER library, that library will add the 776 links to both records 530 FIELD: A 530 note will be used to indicate the existence of the online version as well as differences in content, differences in title, and restrictions on access. If not all issues are available (e.g., current only), a general phrase such as "Some issues available online ..." may be used. Specific designations will not generally used to avoid constant maintenance. 856 FIELD: A note will be supplied in subfield $z that will indicate what the URL refers to. If the e-serial is a reproduction or other version with basically the same contents, "z Online version:" may be used. If there is no one-to-one relationship between the serial and its online counterpart (e.g., articles are contained in a database), a phrase such as "z Related internet site:" is more appropriate. The subfield z will beinput preceding the URL. [The usefulness and display of this subfield will vary, depending on each system's programming.] WHEN WILL THE ONE-RECORD OPTION BE APPLIED?: For the present, it is up to CONSER members to experiment and determine the situations in which this option will work. We are asking that those using the option provide feedback on its usability from a cataloging standpoint and, when possible, from the point of the library user. NEXT STEPS: 1. We will work with MARBI to define a subfield that would contain a URL in the linking fields. By doing so, we hope to be able to include all information concerning the online version in one field--776 (Additional physical form entry). 2. Based on our experience over the next six months, we will reevaluate this policy and report our findings. If there are questions, please feel to contact me by phone or email. Jean Hirons Acting CONSER Coordinator Library of Congress jhir@loc.gov (202) 707-5947