Maruja De Villa Lorica
Paper written in Spring 2009
Introduction
This paper together aims to provide library professionals particularly beginning librarians increased understanding about cataloging electronic resources. In particular, this paper a) presents an overview of electronic resources and the importance of cataloging electronic resources, b) explores selection criteria, and c) presents issues and concerns related to cataloging electronic resources.
Overview of Electronic Resources
The Anglo- American Cataloging Rules (AACR), 2005 Update as cited by Weitz (2006) defines an electronic resource as a "Material (data and/or program(s)) encoded for manipulation by a computerized device. This material may require the use of a peripheral directly connected to a computerized device (e.g., CD-ROM drive) or a connection to a computer network (e.g., the Internet)." This definition does not include electronic resources that do not require the use of a computer, for example, music compact discs and videodiscs.
The Draft Interim Guidelines for Cataloging Electronic Resources/Library of Congress (n.d.) provides two ways of accessing electronic resource, namely a) direct access, and b) remote access. Direct access is the term used to characterize access to an electronic resource resident in a carrier such as a computer disk or a CD-ROM that a user physically inserts into a computer, usually a microcomputer. Remote access, on the other hand, refers to access to an electronic resource resident in a carrier that a user cannot physically handle, i.e., a resource accessed, processed, executed remotely. Remote access involves connection through a computer network and is usually referred to as "online" access.
The Anglo-American Cataloging Rules2 (AACR2) defines remote access to mean that no physical carrier can be handled. Remote access can only be provided by use of an input-output device (e.g., a terminal), either connected to a computer system (e.g., a resource in a network), or by use of resources stored in a hard disk or other storage device.
For the purpose of this paper, the focus of discussion will be mainly on remote access electronic resources i.e., online resources accessed over a computer network such as the Internet.
Importance of Cataloging Electronic Resources
Šauperl and Saye (2009) underscore the reasons why libraries have begun to catalog web sites and Internet resources. These are to make more resources available to users, and help users retrieve valuable information from the Internet. Hsieh-Yee (2000) adds that it is worthwhile to catalog important Internet resources for users because such efforts add value to the resources by collocating materials, facilitating access, and saving time.
Weber (1999) states that Internet resource provides the most current available information on a given topic. He argues that cataloging electronic resources could serve a great number of users simultaneously. In addition, the Internet resource does not require users to visit the library and guarantees 24-hour access to a resource.
Selection Criteria for Cataloging Internet Resources
The inclusion of Internet resources into the collections of libraries is an evolving process. Weber, in an article written in 1999 has cited several criteria in selecting Internet resources for cataloging such as pricing, stability of resources, duplication, and licensing which remain relevant 10 years after.
Price. According to Weber, the cost of an Internet resource is much greater than that for a comparable print resource. Increased price of Internet resources can be justified if they offer greater possibilities for service and the potential of increased use by patrons. Libraries should also consider added costs for subscriptions, licenses, enhancements or upgrades. Likewise, purchase of additional hardware/software, its maintenance and storage are primary considerations when making selection decisions regarding Internet resources.
Appropriateness of an electronic resource. The need, quality, and presentation of information which the Internet resource provides should be properly considered, according to Weber. Their relevance to existing subject areas in the collection and their relationship to resources already available in the collection are additional considerations. Further, ease of use by patrons, the degree and type of assistance that librarians will provide to patrons, and user education and training are important factors in selection decisions (Weber).
Stability of Internet resources. According to Weber, stability of Internet resources should be a standard part of the selection process. This also includes vendor’s reliability and business record, commitment to continued support for a product, vendor produced documentation, and availability of customer support.
Libraries should closely examine whether a vendor delivers precisely what has been promised (full-text, full-image, with abstracts, or full-text without charts or other relevant illustrations that might be present in the print version). Concerns regarding maintenance and frequency of updating are also important.
Duplication. Libraries, according to Weber may choose an electronic resource that duplicates another resource currently in the collection (print, microform, or CD-ROM). Duplicate copies of Internet resources may be acquired when networking or other alternatives are not possible. In addition, a library may choose to provide a product or service in more than one format.
Licensing. Licensing is a major consideration in the selection and purchase of Internet resources since it determines type and level of service provided by the vendor. Weber raise the concern that licensing can restrict a library’s ability to provide interlibrary loans, number of on-site users, ability to provide access to remote users, and the ability to download or print information from a given resource.
Challenges and Issues and Concerns related to Cataloging Internet Resources
According to Šauperl and Saye (2009), cataloguing of internet resources is difficult mainly because of the dynamic nature of this medium. Many resources change their URLs, change their content so that the description in the catalog record does not describe the web site accurately, or disappear entirely.
Weber (1999) also states that Internet resources cannot be described in concrete terms in the manner used for books since information about a resource is likely to change quickly and more frequently. For example, Internet resources such as search engines may be purchased by another company which may greatly change the type of information provided, depth of coverage, and indexing, among others. Aggregator databases for electronic journal titles may add or drop titles with each update or new version.
Meanwhile, Morgan (n.d.) asserts that there several obstacles preventing a library's ability to add bibliographic records of Internet-based serials to its OPAC. The first is the dynamic nature of the Internet, and therefore, the dynamic nature of the serials. Too often, the "file not found" errors have been found on local computers as well as remote Internet-based computers. If a library were to rely on the addition of uniform resource locators (URL) in the 856 fields of MARC records, then librarians may spend much of their time tracking down "broken" URLs. Hopefully, the concept of the uniform resource identifier (URI) will come to fruition and reduce this problem.
Conclusion
Cataloging electronic resources is a work in progress. It is in state of flux. Guidelines and standards will continue to evolve as libraries gain more experience in dealing with Internet resources.
The decision to catalog Internet resources presents challenges and opportunities to both libraries and library and information science professionals. Decisions shall continue to be made as to what types of Internet resources will receive cataloging, and what information should be included in the bibliographic record.
The principles of information organization and cataloging would continue to guide LIS professionals in organizing electronic resources. Catalogers must remain flexible, and recognize that cooperation and collaboration with other LIS professionals would become increasingly important.
References
Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, Second Edition, 2002 Revision. Retrieved May 2, 2009 from http://desktop.loc.gov/
Harvard University Library. (2004). Cataloging Internet Resources: Monographs.
Retrieved April 30, 2009 from http://hcl.harvard.edu/technicalservices/policies/cataloging/internet_resources.pdf
Hsieh-Yee, I. (2000). Organizing Internet resources: teaching cataloging standards and beyond. OCLC Systems and Services. 16 (3), 130-143. Retrieved May 2, 2009 from Emerald Full Text Article
Library of Congress. Cooperative Online Serials (CONSER). Use of Fixed Fields 006/007/008 and Leader Codes in CONSER Records. Retrieved May 2, 2009 from http://www.loc.gov/acq/conser/ffuse.html
Library of Congress (2003). MARC 21 Formats: Guidelines for the Use of Field 856. Retrieved May 2, 2009 from http://www.loc.gov/marc/856guide.html
Library of Congress (n.d.) Draft Interim Guidelines for Cataloging Electronic Resources. Retrieved May 2, 2009 from http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/dcmb19_4.html
.
Morgan, E. L. (n.d.). Cataloging Internet Resources: A Beginning. Retrieved April 30, 2009 from http://infomotions.com/musings/cataloging-resources/
Šauperl, A and Saye, J. D. (2009). Have we made any progress? Catalogues of the future revisited. Journal of Documentation, 65(3), 500-514. Retrieved May 2, 2009 from Emerald Full-Text Article
Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources (SULAIR). (n.d.). Guidelines for Cataloging Internet Resources. Retrieved April 30, 2009 from http://www-
Weber, M. B. (1999). Factors to be considered in the selection and cataloging of Internet resources. Library Hi Tech, 17(3), 298 – 303. Retrieved May 2, 2009 from Emerald Full Text Article
Weitz, J. (2006). Cataloging Electronic Resources: OCLC-MARC Coding Guidelines.
Retrieved May 2, 2009 from http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/cataloging/electronicresourc es/default.htm
Yale University Library (n.d.). Cataloging Online Integrating Resources. Retrieved April 30, 2009 from http://www.library.yale.edu/cataloging/mst/marc/oir.html#hld
No comments:
Post a Comment