Greetings, Birdie, and everyone,

We currently use the single record approach, which in our system means one
bib record with all formats listed as separate "copies" (print, microform,
or electronic).  In the case where we have print and electronic, we use the
print record and add tags to show the availability of electronic and the 856
for URL.  We add a holding record for the electronic "copy."  When we do not
hold print, we add the electronic record, (or microfilm, as the case may
be).  I download each record separately from OCLC.  However, we only include
bib records (or electronic copy on a print record) in our catalog for those
electronic journals that we can count as full text according to ACRL
guidelines (titles in databases such as Project Muse and JSTOR, and
individually purchased direct access), so we do not input catalog records
for journal titles included in aggregator databases such as ProQuest, EBSCO,
or Gale.  Our patrons have to rely on our Serials Solutions A to Z list to
discover whether we have access to a particular journal in those databases,
which change availability too frequently for us to keep up with at this
point.

We realize this is not a perfect solution, and in some ways, not entirely
consistent, but we felt giving our patrons URL access from the catalog to
[what we consider] stable electronic journals was beneficial even though we
do not have the manpower to give them URLs to every electronic journal [i.e.
aggregate collection of articles from journal titles with adds and drops]
which we can access in full text.  If we had some means of automated URL
maintenance, then we probably would add bib records for the electronic
journals in aggregate databases, but until then, we will probably continue
this way.

Best regards,

Ellen Simmons
Periodicals Librarian
University of Dallas
William A. Blakley Library
1845 E. Northgate Drive
Irving, Texas 75062
Phone: 972 721-4130
Fax:  972 721-4010
email:  esimmons@udallas.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU]On Behalf Of Birdie MacLennan
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 4:30 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Brief records for e-journals in OPAC?

Greetings,

Like everyone else, we are exploring faster and more efficient ways to
keep up with e-journal titles, current URLs, and holdings data.  We
subscribe to Serials Solutions' A to Z list and are using this to generate
a web list of all our titles.  We've been cataloging individual titles in
a single record approach in our OPAC.  The A-Z list picks up on these, as
well as titles we have in full-text databases.  We've not been able to
keep up with full-text database titles and/or to add them as individual
bib records in our catalog.

It has been suggested that we investigate adding "brief" e-journal records
to our catalog to provide links to e-journals.  I'm not sure exactly what
this means, but have been asked to explore the possibility.  So ... I'm
wondering, is anyone else adding any kind of brief records to their
catalog to generate access to e-journals?  If so, how are you creating the
records and holdings data?  Are you adding the records manually
(in-house)?  Using vendor or publisher supplied MARC records?  Using
OpenURL or Link Resolver services?

Is anyone still using a single record approach (print, microform,
electronic on one record) and finding a way to incorporate automated
maintenance for URLs and multiple holdings into a single bibliographic
record approach?

Probably more questions here, than answers.  Any information, discussion,
suggestions, etc.  would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

        Birdie MacLennan
        Library Associate Professor
        Coordinator, Serials & Cataloging
        Bailey/Howe Library
        University of Vermont
        birdie.maclennan@uvm.edu