Cataloging Internet Resources

OLAC/MOUG Conference

October 13, 2000

Linda Barnhart

University of California, San Diego

lbarnhart@ucsd.edu

Objectives:

• To provide basic information from AACR2, MARC21 and other tools

• To provide a variety of interesting real-life examples

• To give you helpful tips and hints from experienced catalogers

• To provide links for further information• To make you interested and excited about

doing this, so you’ll add more bibliographic records!

Scope:

• We will cover Internet resources:– Websites– Related websites– Electronic books– Electronic journals– Databases

Scope:

• We will NOT cover:– Direct access computer files (CD-ROMs,

DVDs, or floppy disks)– Interactive multimedia– Metadata schemes other than MARC21

• No exercises or tests!

Outline/Agenda:

• Why should we catalog Internet resources?• Characteristics of Internet resources• Key resources to help you in cataloging• How to look at an Internet resource• Choosing a workform• Example 1: Web site• Example 2: Related Web site• Break

Outline/Agenda:

• Example 3: Electronic book

• Example 4: Electronic journal

• Example 5: Database

Why should we catalog Internet resources?• We cannot (and wouldn’t want to) catalog the

Internet• Online catalogs can (should?) provide access to all

formats; web OPACS provide links• Much valuable information there; we could catalog

selected quality resources• Users want instant gratification• The paradigm is shifting, and users go to the

Internet first. What is the role of the library?• Catalogers (and librarians) know how to organize

things well; the Internet needs help!

Characteristics of Internet resources that concern catalogers

• There’s no physical item-in-hand (tangibility)• They change too much (volatility of location)• They change too much (volatility of content)• What is the extent of the item? (granularity)

Barriers to cataloging Internet resources• Perception that it’s all original cataloging• Fear of raising expectations and thus

creating an invisible backlog• Concern about taking the time to learn

cataloging skills for a new format• Concern about the priority Internet resources

should have vis-à-vis other library materials• Challenge of cataloging more with judgment

and precedent than with finely honed rules

You don’t have to do it all!

• Catalog based on library user needs and priorities• Libraries prioritize Internet resources in different

ways (all should be quality and content-rich resources):– Format (e.g., electronic journals)– Subject (e.g., specialty areas)– Resources maintained on a local server– Resources that are unique or locally created– Resources maintained by reputable organizations– Limit to a target number, as a pilot project

Key resources to help you in cataloging• Primary sources:

– Nancy Olson’s manual (Second edition)– LC Guidelines for Coding Electronic Resources– CONSER Cataloging Manual Module 31– LC’s Guidelines for the Use of Field 856– OCLC-MARC Coding Guidelines– OCLC tutorial: Online Library Learning Series– ISBD (ER)

• Use UCSD’s TPOT Web site to connect to all these and more!

How to look at an Internet resource• Look at the content

• Look at the html

• Look for a site map

• What do we have in our OPAC that is related to this?

• Think about granularity. How far do you want to go in cataloging this?

Choosing a workform

• “Type of Record” coding (fixed field “Type”) changed significantly in June 1997 to code for significant aspect of content rather than physical form

• Choose the workform for the most significant aspect of the content of the material, e.g.:– Language material (Type: a)– Musical sound material (Type: j)– Cartographic material (Type: e)

Type “m”

• Definition revised and greatly narrowed in June 1997

• Use “m” (computer file workform) ONLY for:– Computer software (including programs, games,

fonts)– Numeric data– Computer-oriented multimedia– Online systems or services

Example 1: Web site

• Chief source: main page(s)• If no main page, then use other

formally presented internal evidence (e.g., first display of information, HTML source code, “about” screen, etc.)

• There is usually no accompanying printed documentation to help

• Source of title is a required note

Terms that have been used in catalog records for the “Title from…” note:

• Home Page• Web Page• Title screen• Opening Screen• Initial Screen• Welcome Screen

• Menu• Search Screen• Splash Screen• Introductory Screen• Logon Screen

Familiar fields…..

• Leader/008 (except Form of Item code)• 1xx• 245 title and statement of responsibility

(except for $h)• 246 (often more 246s than for print

resources!)• 250, 260• 5xx, 504• 650, 7xx

LC Subject Headings• Treat Internet resources like any other form of

material in terms of the number and kind of subject headings used

• Do not confuse topical headings (or subdivisions) with genre headings (or subdivisions)

• SCM sections that apply:– H 1095 Free-floating subdivisions– H 1520 Databases– H 1580.5 Electronic serials– H 2070 Software and Works about

software

Popular LC subdivisions• $v Computer games• $x Computer network resources• $x Computer programs• $x/$v Databases• $v Electronic discussion groups• $x Electronic information resources• $v Interactive multimedia• $v Juvenile software• $v Software• NOTE: No subdivision for Web sites!

Other “hooks”

• Strongly recommend defining a local practice so you can find similar records and packages again! (Local headings may help your users, too)

• Possibilities:– 655– 690– 590– 710– 793– Other fixed field

Classification of Internet Resources• Area of much debate and discussion• Need to clearly identify Internet

resources so users don’t go to the shelf• Maybe classification (not full call

number assignment) is enough• Easier to do when there are print

equivalents, but useful for Web sites too

Maybe not-so-familiar fields…...• 008 Form of item: “s”• 006 Additional material characteristics• 007 Physical characteristics/description• 245 $h [computer file]• 256 Computer file characteristics• NO 300 field!!!• 538 System details note• 500 Source of title (required)• 856 Electronic location and access

856 field

• Use “Guidelines for the Use of Field 856” from LC at http://www.loc.gov/marc/856guide.html

• First indicator: Access method (4=http)• Second indicator: Relationship (0=resource)• Commonly used subfields:

– $u URI– $3 Materials specified– $z Public note

URL tips and tricks

• Encoding non-USMARC characters:– %5F for spacing underscore– %7E for spacing tilde

• Which URL to choose

• Some URLs need to be constructed

• Multiple 856 fields

• URL maintenance after cataloging

Example 2: Related Web site

• Related Web sites are Internet resources that accompany another primary format

• Examples include an online Table of Contents for a printed book or online ordering or subscription information that relate to a printed serial

• Information about the related Web site can be included in the record for the printed material

Time for a break!

Example 3: Electronic Book

• Many electronic book records in WorldCat: – netLibrary has over 18,000 separate

records– Records for other digitized monographs

• Issues with single vs. separate records• LCRI 1.11A: Reproductions• Type: a and Bib lvl: m

Electronic Books: Digitized reprints• Describe the original, and add information

about the reproduction in a 533• 006 for electronic; 007 for more specifics of

electronic version• ISBN for electronic version; ISBN for print in

$z• Call number for print version remains in

record• 245 $h computer file

Electronic Books: Digitized reprints• netLibrary records contain a 655 for the

genre Electronic books

• 710 field gives added entry for netLibrary

• 776 field links to bib record for print edition

• 856 links to netLibrary site

Electronic books: Consider….• Adding local “hooks” to collocate these

items in your online catalog• Use the single record concept! Add:

– 020 for electronic ISBN– 007– 530 (Also available on the World Wide

Web…)– 856

Example 4: Electronic journal

• Type a/bib level s

CONSER and Multiple Versions• CONSER calls these “Remote access

computer file serials”• CCM Module 31 is indispensable!• “It is preferable to create separate records

for the CONSER database. However, CONSER members may choose…to note the existence and electronic location of the online version in the record for the printed serial.”

Single vs. separate records

• What do your users want?• Both techniques are permissible• Use the separate record technique

when there is no print equivalent (issued in electronic format only)

• Use the single record technique for scanned reproductions where the online content is identical to the print

Special characteristics to note:• 007

• 530 Also available via the World Wide Web

• 740 As needed for electronic titles

• 776 Linking to additional physical form as needed

• 856

Subject hierarchy needs

• Some libraries like to have lists of electronic journals by discipline

• Some want this feature in the online catalog; some want it supported via a Web site

• Consider your needs carefully before you start

• Local subject heading? Local subdivision? Genre term(s)? How to implement a hierarchy?

Coming soon!

• Major revisions to Chapters 9 and 12 by the Joint Steering Committee for AACR

• Separately published chapter 9 in April?• Harmonizing AACR with ISBD (ER)• Recognizing redefinition of serial and new

concept of “integrating resource”• New bib lvl code, new GMD…. Stay tuned!!

New taxonomy of serials

• Now: Monographs and serials

• Soon: Monographs, serials, and integrating entities

http://lcweb.loc.gov/acq/conser/modelc.gif

Special characteristics to note:• Type a; finite rather than integrating

• Most of the fields will look very familiar by now

• Note 650 $v Databases

Questions?

Thank you for attending! -- Linda