Online serials
Summary: This procedures defines online serials (sometimes referred to remote access electronic serials, as opposed to direct access electronic serials such as CD-ROMs) and some of the issues surrounding their cataloging. It also outlines MARC fields used in the cataloging of online serials.
Definition
A remote access electronic serial is a continuing resource that is accessed “via computer networks.” Like print serials, an electronic serial is issued in a succession of discrete parts usually bearing numbering, and has no predetermined conclusion (RDA). This is in contrast to a direct access electronic resource which is issued on a physical carrier such as CD-ROM, diskette or USB flash drive.
- New "digitally born" electronic journals that do not have print counterparts,
- Electronic journals with print manifestations (which may or may not be identical to the electronic),
- Scanned journals which are archive copies of print journals (such as the journals in the JSTOR project),
- Journals for which overlapping issues are available in print and online versions.
Other physical formats
Some electronic journals will be available in other formats which we may or may not own. For most situations, each format will have its own catalog record, even if the title is the same, with appropriate linking notes and entries.
Major/minor changes
The current CONSER policy of creating a new record for a major change will be followed. Follow the current rules even if a corresponding print title follows older rules for title changes. There are special title change problems for electronic serials, because issues may or may not continue to exist under the old title.
Provider neutral
In 2003, CONSER changed its policy on record creation for titles offered in multiple provider packages and developed the concept of the provider-neutral record . Guidelines for creating provider-neutral records are intended to be applicable to creating a record for any e-serial, including those that don't have a print equivalent and free serials that aren't part of a commercial aggregation (e.g., government documents) (CONSER 31.1). See the PCC provider neutral record guidelines for guidance.
Source of description
RDA 2.2.2.2 states that for a resource consisting of one or more pages, leaves, sheets, or cards (or imagines of one or more pages, leaves, sheets, or card), use the title page, title sheet, or title card as the preferred source. If the resource lacks a title page, title sheet, or title card (or an image of it), use as the preferred source of information, the first of the following sources that has a title: a) a cover or jacket issued with the resource (or an image of a cover or jacket), b) a caption (or an image of a caption), c) a masthead (or an image of a masthead), d) a colophon (or an image of a colophon).
In the case of online serials, therefore, follow this order when considering the preferred source of information:
- The image of an issue title page, cover, caption or colophon
- Any textual source associated with the lowest numbered issue (e.g., HTML or PDF table of contents, PDF article running titles, web page for lowest numbered issue)
- Any embedded metadata associated with the lowest numbered issue (e.g, HTML header title for an issue)
- Other textual sources within the resource (e.g., journal home pages)
- Any other embedded metadata (e.g., journal home page HTML header title)
- Any other sources external to the resource (e.g., navigational menu bars, screens, links pointing to the online serial)
MARC field guidelines (CONSER)
| Marc field | Entry required | CCM Module numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Type | a = language material | |
| Form | o = online | |
| Orig | If a serial is published simultaneously in more than one physical form or if it is difficult to determine the original form, determine Orig from the first item received | |
| 006 | Only first byte is required according to CONSER Standard Record (CSR) guidelines. Code: m. MSUL also includes 'd' = document (i.e., text). | 31.2.4 |
| 007 | In CSR, only $a and $b are required. Code: $a c $b r | |
| 008 | Code as for any online serial. Use the beginning date of the print or original format as the beginning date of publication, if cited in the 362 field | 31.2.4 |
| 022 | Give the valid ISSN of the electronic in $a ; give the ISSN of the print in $y . If the cataloger has access to the ISSN portal, give the linking ISSN in a $l | 31.18 |
| 040 | If using RDA rules, add $e rda. Description should be provider neutral add $e pn | |
| 049 | QEMP (paid internet resource) QEMO (free internet resource) | |
| 050/090 | LC call number may be used or added, but is not required. Add resource word "Online" after the call number (but do not add to the OCLC master record). Example: 090 HT539 |b .A34 Online | |
| 130/240 | Make additions to access points for works to distinguish them from different works with the same or similar authorized access points (AAPs). Under RDA, the conflict includes all other works and not just conflicts with other serial AAPs. A qualifier to distinguish between identical online and print manifestations of the same serial should NOT be given. Do NOT use the name of the provider as a qualifier in the preferred title. | |
| 245 | Record the title from the earliest available issue on the preferred source. | |
| 246 | Parallel titles receive the indicators 246 11. All other variant titles receive indicators 246 1_ (per CONSER). Variant titles may be provided in the case of minor title changes or if a variant is important for access. $i may be used to qualify the information in the 246. Example: 246 1_ $i Issues from some providers have title: $a [Title] | 31.7 |
| 264 | Record the first named place and publisher in the first or earliest available issue online. The place/publisher should be applicable to all online manifestations and thus, should not reflect a particular digitizer or provider of an aggregation. $c. When first or last issue is recorded in 362 , give first/last date of publication as found in that issue. | 31.10 |
| 300 | A carrier term for ceased serials in all formats is a core element. 300 __ $a 1 online resource | |
| 362 | Record beginning and ending numbering or dates per rules and CONSER practice. Use indicators 1_ only. Do not use a "Coverage as of" note. If providers vary in the range of issues they offer online, give the beginning numbering or date of the print or other original format, if available. | 31.8 |
| 336/337/338 | Content type - Most e-serials will be textual. Give: 336 __ $a text. If there are other important aspects of the content, add additional 336 fields (i.e., still images). Media type - the type of intermediation device required is a computer, from the terms in RDA table 3.1: 337 __ $a computer Carrier type - the applicable term for remote access e-serials from RDA 3.3.1.3 is "online resource". | 31.11 |
| 440/490/830 | Some provider or aggregator names have been treated as series titles in series authority records. Do not record these as series statements in the provider-neutral record. | 31.12 |
| 500/550 | Do not note providers or aggregators as the digitizers. | 31.13 |
| 506 | Do not use, unless restrictions apply to all manifestations of the serial. Use 856 $z for specific access restrictions useful for users. | 31.13.1 |
| 515 | Record as needed. | |
| 530 | Prefer field 776 $i rather than a 530 note, to describe any additional physical formats available. | 31.13.7 31.15 |
| 538 | Do not give system requirements notes unless the requirements are particularly unusual and would relate to all manifestations. | 31.13.4 |
| 588 | Record "description based on" notes, source of title proper and "latest issue consulted" notes as usual. However, also add the file format (if there are multiple formats), the provider manifestation used for description and the date viewed. Example: 588 ## $a Description based on: July 1994; title from caption (publisher's Web site, viewed July 14, 2003). | 31.3 31.8 |
| 710/730 | Do not provide access points for the name of aggregator or provider | 31.4 |
| 76X-78X | Record as needed. Use 776 $i to record additional physical format. Fields 773, 774 and 787 are not required in CSR. | 31.13.7 31.15 |
| 856 | Give the applicable URLs for serial packages that present issues of the serial. Format using the MSUL ezproxy and appropriate $z public note. Example: 856 40 $u http://ezproxy.msu.edu/login?url=http://www.ejel.org/previous-issues.htm $z Connect to online resource - MSU authorized users. Other $z notes used by MSUL include: $z Connect to online resource - MSU authorized users [for paid resources] If more than one URL appears in the record because there is more than one authorized user, the |z notes should be in alphabetical order by user. $z Connect to online resource - Law Library authorized users | 31.14 |
Changes that require the creation of a new record
When major changes occur in the authorized access points, a new record is created like it would be for print according to the guidelines found in RDA and CCM Module 16. If a mode of issuance changes, like an online serial changes to an integrating resource, a new description is required according to RDA 1.6.2.1
- As much as is possible, CONSER guidelines will be followed. See especially CONSER Cataloging Manual Module 31 - Remote access electronic serials (online serials).
- It is MSUL policy that print and online manifestations always receive separate records that are then linked via 77X fields.
An "in-house" cataloged bibliographic record for an electronic journal will not include holdings information. No checkin record will be created for the title.
Bibliographic records from Serials Solutions for electronic journals will have checkin records and coverage data will be displayed to the user.
| Contact | Emily Sanford or Joshua Barton |
| Team | CMS |
| Updated | March 2018 |
| Created | March 2018 |