---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1998 17:02:55 -0400
From: "James L. Murphy" <murphy.11@OSU.EDU>
Subject: Date in 260 |c for e-journals

Colleagues,

In terms of multiple version cataologing of e-journals, I am confused re:
date of publication (260 |c) and date in the fixed field for e-journals with
retroactive holdings.  I have been interpreting the date of publication as
the date the electronic resource was mounted or activated, a date that may
often not be determinable.  In the case of new electronic titles with no
paper version, there is no problem because we are cataloging from the first
piece, and dates in 260, 362 and fixed field would the same.

Many OCLC records for electronic holdings (for which there is an earlier
paper version) appear to be using the dates for the paper copy in these
fields in the record for the electronic version.  Is this correct?

Part of my confusion centers around what is meant by first issue in terms of
an electronic journal that does not include the first printed issue of a title.

EXAMPLE:

Paper version.  V. 1, no. 1 (Jan. 1964)

Electronic version.  V. 3, no. 1 (Jan. 1966)-      mounted in 1998 (c1998).

For the electronic version, is the first issue considered to be 1966 or
1964, and is this relevant in terms of date of publication for the
electronic journal?  Should the 260 |c be 1964, 1966, 1998, or blank?

I've checked CONSER guidelines and N. Olson's internet resources cataloging
guidelines but this point doesn't seem to be clearly addressed.  As I've
seen this treated differently in various OCLC records, I'd appreciate input
on what other catalogers are doing.

James L. Murphy
Serial Cataloging Coordinator
Ohio State University Libraries
1858 Neil Avenue Mall
Columbus OH 43201
murphy.11@osu.edu