We have posted another set of guidelines for your review and comments. This one concerns the cataloging of electronic resources in InfoSoup. The last guidelines were specifically related to linking to web sites on other InfoSoup pages, while this one focuses on what sites or resources are actually cataloged. Please take a look at Cataloging Electronic Resources in InfoSoup [pdf] and post your questions and comments below. Thanks!
Comments (3)
This is a godd start. I have some concerns I'm still mulling over, but here a few technical issues.
On government docs, I think we should include a link to the electronic version any time we have the link, not only when we no longer have the print version. Further, I think that any librarian should be able to request a link, not just the resource library's Wisconsin librarian (though she is pretty special).
I'm not sure how to do it, but as knowledgeable as the Electronic Resources Librarian and Catalog Librarians are, would it be useful to have a public services librarian from an OWLSnet library as part of the review process for sites to be added? Direct experience working with the public adds a perspective.
I think there should be further thought to what opens in its own window or tab vs. an InfoSoup frame. I'm generally not fond of frames, but understand that they make a lot of sense when an external website functions as an auxiliary tool for a catalog record (e.g. Amazon, IMDB). When an external site is a destination, let it have a full window.
More later, I'm sure!
Posted by Terry | March 1, 2007 1:59 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 13:59
I would like to clarify a bit of about the government document cataloging practice for libraries that add records to a bibliographic utility (OCLC). If there is an electronic version of the print document the URL is included in the catalog record. There may also be a record for just the electronic version.
An example of this would be the Federal Register where there are two records, one for the paper copy with the link included and one for the electronic only version:
http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1466267
http://www.infosoup.org/record=b1120624
The electronic record version will always be the most current, if for example, the publication is printed by the GPO on an annual basis. We want patrons to have the most current copy at all times.
Lastly, any librarian can request a link to be included as part of the catalog record or to have a website cataloged if it is viewed to fit into their collection development policy. The Wisconsin librarian was mentioned as merely an example since Wis Docs are most frequently requested websites to be included in the catalog.
Posted by Holly | March 2, 2007 9:09 AM
Posted on March 2, 2007 09:09
Regarding what opens in a new window or frame...Some of this we can control - 856 links for such items like overdrive and netlibrary open to a new window in a brief record because we could add some code to created the link, while overdrive and netlibrary links in a full record use a frame because innovative decreed it so.
As we work in webpac pro I will keep alert to see if we have more control over the use of frames. Even in the situations when they seem to make sense, I still find frames frustrating. If we find that we do have options, I will bring them forward for discussion.
Posted by Evan Bend | March 2, 2007 3:32 PM
Posted on March 2, 2007 15:32