Most e-resources have some relationship to a print item. A major problem in cataloging an e-resource is how to identify its relationship (if any) to its correspond- ing print item. Each has unique characteristics based on its format and is of value to the patron when deciding if the resource is what he or she wants. Is the library patron better served by using one record that indicates both forms or separate records which allow the cataloger to tailor the description to the specific form?
This is further complicated when a resource is available from several vendors, each vendor having a different file format (e.g., pdf, ASCII, image) as well as varying amounts or types of coverage. Using one record is usually more efficient for the cataloger, but creating a cogent description of the library’s holdings for a non-cataloger can present difficulties. This difficulty is further exacerbated by the fact that an item record is used for a variety of purposes by both library patrons and by library staff.
The MARC record is reformatted for public display. The original intent of the MARC format was to replicate the catalog card, but the careful tagging and subfielding of the information allows a catalog designer to easily index, rearrange, suppress, or express a field in whatever manner is most appropriate for the target audience. Since the basic record remains unchanged, libraries can periodically revisit these design decisions. The display of MARC data has implications in the decision to use single or multiple records for an e-resource.
In the case of multiple records, a patron searching a catalog may be unhappy when confronted with an index screen listing many records for the same title. Some of the multiple listings may be for the same work in a different format or with different
84 Heron & Gordon
coverage. The searcher may be required to examine most, or all, of the listed records in order to complete a successful search.
The single record approach may be no less frustrating to the user. Although there may be fewer records to view, the variations in holdings or accessibility may be difficult to discern by the user. For example, the library may hold all volumes in print of a given title but have access limited to select volumes via the Internet. This can be a major disappointment for a remote user with expectations of full access.
Figure 1: Electronic Resource Record (One record for each form of the journal)
USF Library Catalog Search: tj=journal of
accounting and public policy Hit Count: 3 Records: 1 to 3
Title Results List
JOURNAL OF ACCOUNTING AND PUBLIC POLICY 1 Journal of accounting and public policy
Amsterdam :; [serial]; 19uu
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02784254>
USF electronic resource No call number available -- Library Has ScienceDirect
Online access restricted to USF students, faculty & staff Commercial ISP? see: www.lib.usf.edu/virtual/help/proxy.html THIS TITLE ALSO AVAILABLE IN OTHER FORMATS--SEE RESULTS LIST
2 Journal of accounting and public policy
New York, NY :; [serial]; 1982
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02784254>
TAMPA periodicals (Non-Circulating) H97 .J66 -- Library Has Current Issues in Storage. Ask at Periodicals Info Desk
Library has discontinued its subscription to print version
THIS TITLE ALSO AVAILABLE IN AN ONLINE VERSION--SEE LINKS Online access restricted to USF students, faculty & staff
Commercial ISP? see: www.lib.usf.edu/virtual/help/proxy.html 3 Journal of accounting and public policy
Amsterdam :; [serial]; 19uu
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02784254>
USF electronic resource No call number available -- Library Has ScienceDirect
Cataloging and Metadata Issues for Electronic Resources 85
Figure 2: Electronic Resource Record (One Record for all Forms of the Journal)
University of Florida (UF) Search: tj=journal of
accounting and public policy
UF Electronic Resources
Title:
Journal of accounting and public policy.
Published:
New York, N.Y. North Holland, c1982 – frequency quarterly.
Publishing history:
Vol. 1, no. 1 (fall 1982)-
Indexed by: Accountants’ index. Supplement 0748-7975.
ABI/INFORM Spring 1983-
Public Affairs Information bulletin 0033-3409 Notes:
Title from cover.
ISSN: 0278-4254 Subjects, general:
Policy sciences--Periodicals.
Accounting--Periodicals.
Policy sciences--Accounting—Periodicals.
LINKS:
Full Text of Recent Years
.<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02784254>
Full text licensed only for UF students, faculty, and staff Holdings: back [to previous screen]
LOCATION:
LIBRARY WEST, Periodicals
CALL NUMBER:
H97.J66 CURRENT ISSUES:
v.20:no.1-4/5 2001 Spring-Winter LIBRARY HAS:
v.9-19 1990-2000
_____________________________________
back [to previous screen]
LOCATION: See LINKS to Connect CALL NUMBER: No call number available STATUS: Circ. info not available
LIBRARY HAS: 1997-
TE AM FL Y
Team-Fly®
86 Heron & Gordon
A study by Chaudhry and Periasamy (2001) found there to be no clear answers on the issue of single versus multiple records. Of the 19 libraries studied, four used the single record approach, five used separate records, and ten used both single records and multiple records with specific criteria for making the choice.
Most libraries in the study preferred full records, but some cataloged e-journals using a brief record to identify and locate the resource.
Figure 3: Multiple Record Display in SUS Union Catalog
SUS Libraries Union Catalog
Search: tj=JOURNAL OF ACCOUNTING AND PUBLIC POLICY Hit Count: 12
Title Results List
1 Journal of accounting and public policy
Amsterdam :; [serial]; 19uu
Online version; connect to ScienceDirect. (Access restricted to FAMU students, faculty & staff)
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02784254>
Florida A&M University
Electronic access No call number available -- Library Has In Elsevier ScienceDirect: See LINKS above
2 Journal of accounting and public policy Amsterdam :; [serial]; 19uu
Link to selected fulltext (ScienceDirect)
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02784254>
University of North Florida
ONLINE: use link above H97 .J66 elec.ver. -- Library Has 3 Journal of accounting and public policy
Amsterdam :; [serial]; 19uu
Link to selected fulltext (ScienceDirect)
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/02784254>
University of South Florida USF Electronic Resources
USF electronic resource No call number available -- Library Has ScienceDirect
Online access restricted to USF students, faculty & staff Commercial ISP? see: www.lib.usf.edu/virtual/help/proxy.html THIS TITLE ALSO AVAILABLE IN OTHER FORMATS--SEE RESULTS LIST
4 Journal of accounting and public policy
……..
11 Journal of accounting and public policy
Cataloging and Metadata Issues for Electronic Resources 87