Date: Sun, 19 Apr 1998 14:12:19 -0500
From: ELEANOR COOK <COOKEI@CONRAD.APPSTATE.EDU>
Subject: Re: Bib Records for Electronic Resources (Mitch Turitz)

Project Muse is easy - since it is a collection of discrete, actual
electronic, full-text journals that have equivalent print versions,
downloading the bib records from OCLC is a snap, esp. since they are all
there. For those titles where we own the print or microform version, we
just added the holdings statement and 856 to the print records. For
the others we downloaded the "online" version.  Other discrete
e-journals can be handled similarly.

Big reference databases are a different matter. Lexis-Nexis, First Search,
EbscoHost, Expanded Academic Index, etc. are indexing tools that also have
"full-text" which is not equivalent necessarily to the print. We're
still pondering how to deal with these.

It comes down to whether or not you want to create a "shadow" catalog
for these electronic resources alongside your OPAC for printed
materials.  Many of us are straddling between telnet version OPACS and
web version OPACS. It's an awkward period. Also, in the print
environment, we have traditionally provided a snapshot description of
the physical piece and a shelf location so people can get a sense of
what the material contains and where to find it - i.e. the catalog
card/shelflist card/kardex  ->  now the bib record/item record/checkin.

But web products are different. It's more instantaneous. Why bother
with the interim description? If you click here, there you are.
Philosophically, I think we are getting ready for a big shift. My
brain has not completely absorbed this difference, but I hope you
understand what I am getting at!

Everyone is trying to deal with this at the same time. It will be
interesting to see how it all evolves.

Sincerely,
*********************************************************************
Eleanor I. Cook                   828-262-2786 (wrk)     NEW PO BOX
Serials Specialist                828-262-2773 (fax)         &
Belk Library, PO Box 32026                               Area Code!
Appalachian State University                             Spring '98
Boone, NC 28608-2026              cookei@appstate.edu
*********************************************************************