Policies - Web Resources Selection

Introduction
This policy governs the selection of Web resources for inclusion in the OPAC.  Such resources are intended to serve long-term needs of the collection.  When added to the OPAC, they are thereby added to the library collection.  By contrast, Web resources featured in the "Subject Guides" of the LIS Web site are not considered "added to the collection" and so are not necessarily covered by this policy, nor necessarily included in the OPAC. 

Evaluation
The content of a Web resource selection for inclusion in the OPAC should (in order of importance) be:

1.       Relevant (supportive of he college's teaching and research)

2.       Authoritative (reputable, accurate)

3.       Objective (unbiased, free of advertising)

4.       Current (up-to-date, complete)

5.       Attractive (well designed, clearly organized)

6.       Accessible (stable, password-free, no fee)

7.       Self-contained (original source, title-level)

The final criteria above, "self contained", can be the most troublesome to apply.  In general, one should avoid selecting links to home pages that serve as portals to content, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov).  Preferable are direct links to content that is document-like (i.e., conceivably an electronic substitute for a print resource), such as the Occupational outlook handbook (www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm).

There is an extensive body of literature on the subject of evaluation Web resources. Many have attempted to condense this vast topic into a succinct list of evaluative factors, as has been done above.  (See:  http://www.libraryhg.com/evalute.html)  Even after extensive evaluation, a selector must exercise judgment as to whether a resource's relative strengths and weaknesses add up to a yes or no.  In some cases, published reviews (such as found in Choice ) can facilitate the evaluation process. 

Selection procedure
The selection of Web resources for inclusion in the OPAC will, in most cases, be done by a liaison in his/her subject areas.  The selector will submit, to the Associate Director for Collection Services, the following information, preferably by e-mail:

Exact title of the Web resource (essential for bibliographic control)
Precise URL of the Web resource (essential for appropriate access)

The Associate Director for Collection Services will review the selection and forward it to the Associate Director for Bibliographic Services.  Whenever there is a question or problem associated with the selection, the selector will be consulted.

Cataloging
When a Web resource selection is reviewed by the Associate Director for Bibliographic Services , he/she will catalog the item for the OPAC, using a bibliographic record from the OCLC or one created locally.  Most Web resources are properly cataloged as "Integrating Resources", the distinguishing bibliographic features of which are:

Fixed Fields
Leader-Type of Record:  a = Language Material (not m = computer File, which is restricted to software, numeric data, computer-oriented multimedia, and online systems or services)

Leader-Bibliographic Level: m = Monograph (in the future: i = Integrating Resource; not s = Serial, which is restricted to a resource issued in designated, discrete, successive parts and intended table to be continued indefinitely)

006- Additional Material Characteristics: m = Computer File; Type of File: d =Document, or e = Bibliographic Data

006 - Additional Material Characteristics: s = Serial; Type of Continuing Resource: w = Updating Web Site; Entry Convention: 2 = Integrating Entry

007-Physical Description: c= Computer File; Specific Material Designation: r = Remote

008- Type of Date: m = Multiple Dates; Form of Item: s = Electronic

Variable Fields
090 $a- Local identification code:  elr-r = Electronic Resource - Resource (distinct from elr-i = Electronic Resource-Index)

245 $h- General Material Designation = [electronic resource]

856 $u - URL (very functionality)

HOLDINGS RECORD

852 (1st ind. = 8) $b selec $h

Important cataloging guides:
Cataloging Electronic Resources:  OCLC-MARC Coding Guidelines,  by Jay Weitz, OCLC WorldCat Content Management Division, rev. July 21, 2004
             http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/cataloging/electronicresources/defalut.htm

Cataloging Internet Resources:
A Manual and Practical Guide, ed. by Nancy B. Olson

http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/cataloging/internetguide/default.htm

URL Checking
Periodically (at least twice a year) the Associate Director for Bibliographic Services, with the assistance of the Associate Director for Access and Systems, will execute an HTTP Link Verification Report and make corrections to problem URL's.

 

Maintained by Tina M. Ryan