Cataloging Electronic Resources

This page describes the cataloging of e-journals, e-books, digital videos, databases, and other electronic resources available to OhioLINK member libraries as consortial resources. The process:

  • MARC records are prepared for individual items in each collection
  • records may come from the publisher, existing OCLC records, or original cataloging
  • a unique OhioLINK rave URL is supplied
  • OhioLINK contributes records to Central Catalog
  • OCLC symbol OH1 is set on the record in WorldCat
  • other libraries can load records to their local catalogs if desired

Cataloging begins after resources (e-journals, e-books, etc.) are loaded into OhioLINK's systems. There may be a gap between load of a resource and cataloging for that resource.

 

Cataloging Standards

Currently, cataloging for shared eResources is done by OhioLINK. Previously, cataloging was done by volunteers from OhioLINK member libraries or through TECHPRO, for EJC records.

Standards:

The December 2017 update standardized the wording of the 856 for all formats.

Of special note:

OCLC institution code OH1 represents OhioLINK. OhioLINK will set holdings for OH1 on shared resources in OCLC.

A library can use an Innovative function called Master Ownership to prevent consortial records from being overlaid by other libraries. If your library is interested in claiming Master Ownership (and does not currently do so), please contact OhioLINK Support support@ohiolink.edu to discuss. More information about Master Ownership is available through CSDirect at https://csdirect.iii.com/sierrahelp/Content/sgcir/sgcir_ireach_local_master_ownership.html. Note that you will need a CSDirect or Supportal login to access the Innovative site.

BCODE3: For many years, OhioLINK libraries used BCODE3 "g" for OhioLINK resources. Code "g" caused the public record to display with the caption "OhioLINK Resource" and also suppressed display of institutional holdings. Code "g" was discontinued in 2009, with the implementation of field 956 for local URLs.

Before June 2010, e-books and digital videos were cataloged as reproductions of the physical items.

 

Downloading MARC Records for Consortial e-Resources

Libraries that want to load these consortial records to their local catalogs can get files of MARC records from an FTP server. For information about FTP access, contact OhioLINK Support, support@ohiolink.edu.

An index of available files, titles "MarcList.xlsx" can be found on the FTP server.

OhioLINK also creates annual comprehensive batches of MARC records for each publisher in January of each year. For each publisher, these batches contain all accessible e-resource MARC records available to member libraries. These files are available upon request; more information can be found in the related FAQ page*. Note that you will need to be logged on to Ostaff to access the FAQ. 

 

Loading to Local Catalog

If your library does add these records to your local catalog, do not contribute holdings to the Central Catalog. These records will be contributed to the Central Catalog by the OhioLINK Office.

Cataloging records for local e-resources (non-OhioLINK) should not be contributed to the Central Catalog. Please be sure that they are for local use only.

January 2020