This message is being cross-posted. Please excuse the duplication.

Dear colleagues,

Based on responses to our previous listserv queries, input from
CONSER participants, and discussion with staff in LC's Cataloging
Policy and Support Office and Network Development and MARC
Standards Office, we have developed a number of policies for
CONSER that are outlined below.  While we recognize that some of
our decisions may need to be changed or refined in time, we feel
that we have a workable set of guidelines for the present.  These
guidelines will be documented in two places:

   CONSER Editing Guide.  1994 ed.  Update 1.  (To be published
early summer). Fields specific to remote serials (e.g., 516,
538, 856)  have been expanded and revised

   CONSER Cataloging Manual.  Update 3 (To be published early
summer).  Module 31, Remote Access Computer File Serials,
prepared by Melissa Beck (UCLA) with assistance from Bill
Anderson, Les Hawkins, and Regina Reynolds (LC) will be included
in this update.  It will also be placed on an ftp site and will
be announced on the appropriate listservs.

We welcome comments on any of our policies and documentation;
however, the CCM module is in final draft and the CEG has gone to
print.  We hope that CONSER participants and others will use the
new module and test out the guidelines and then provide feedback.

Policies/guidelines set forth in the CEG and CCM:

1.  All document formats are to be included on one record (i.e.,
plain text, formatted text and hypertext).  This was the question
we posed to the listserv several months ago.  Most responses
favored the single record approach and we have had positive
feedback from others in LC and at the recent ALCTS Serials
Institute that this seems the best solution for now.

2.  If there is another physical format (e.g., CD-ROM, print), we
will use a qualifier such as (Online).  Note: we are avoiding
words such as version or ed. because they carry a number of
meanings that can be confusing.  If the other physical format has
a qualifier, the physical medium will be added following the
first qualifier: (San Francisco, CA : Online)

3.  Notes relating to the type of file (e.g., electronic journal)
and the characteristics, including document formats, will be
given in field 516.  Example:  516   Electronic journal available
in ASCII, Postscript, and hypertext

4.  CONSER will not use field 256.  Putting "Computer data" into
almost all serial records does not provide useful information.

We hope that this information is useful and we thank you for your
earlier responses and suggestions.

Jean Hirons, Acting CONSER Coordinator
Regina Reynolds, Head, National Serials Data Program
Bill Anderson, CONSER Specialist
Les Hawkins, National Serials Data Program