How to Catalog the Electronic Journal

Single Record vs. Multiple Record Approach

Should I catalog the electronic journal in the record for the print version, or in a separate record from the print version?

Using the single record approach may save cataloging time and is an efficient way to give access to the electronic version of a title for which you have the print already represented in your collection. Basically, you need to show the availability of the electronic version, give an entry for the online title if it differs from the print, supply the URL for the e-journal, and add an 007 for the online version. The 007 is optional, but may be useful in some systems retrieval capabilities.

Single Record

Using the multiple record approach is necessary if you do not hold the print version in your collection. If you do hold the print version, you may opt to follow the multiple record approach to handle a difference in the titles, or just to emphasize the difference in format.

In the print version record, note the availability of the electronic version, give an entry for the title of the online version if it differs from the print, add a linking field to associate the relationship of the two records, and supply the URL for the e-journal.

In the online version record, fully describe the online version, give an antry for the title of the print version if it differs from the online, add a linking field to associate the relationship of the two records, and supply the URL for the e-journal.

Multiple Record

IESCA - Examples of Interactive MARC Records - serials@northwestern.edu