Acquiring Networked Resources: RUL Policies and Procedures
Use of the Electronic Access Field and RU-Online in IRIS Records

4/8/99

1. QUESTION: What is the definition of RU-ONLINE?

   RESPONSE: RU-ONLINE is RUL's designator for its growing digital library of networked resources, primarily composed of full text and full image resources as well as other purchased electronic databases and indexes.

2. QUESTION: What is the definition of full text or full image?

   RESPONSE: Full text or full image is equivalent to an electronic representation of the original text; or, the electronic version is the original format (often the only format) of the resource.

3. QUESTION: Is RU-ONLINE added to every record that contains an 856?

   RESPONSE: No. RU-ONLINE will be added only to those records that point to a web site that fulfills the definition of RU-ONLINE as stated in #1, above.

4. QUESTION: Is an 856 added to all resources (i.e., ejournals, government documents, monographs) or only those that are full text or full image?

   RESPONSE: The 856 field will be added to any cataloging record at the discretion of the cataloger or at the suggestion of another RUL librarian.

   For resources that fall within the definition of RU-ONLINE, the cataloger will add a combination of 856 and RU-ONLINE to a record.

   For resources that do not fall within the definition of RU-ONLINE, the cataloger will add an 856 with a qualifying note,

   Related material available on the World Wide Web at:
   http://....

   RU-ONLINE will not be added to these records.

5. QUESTION: Should we provide online access to all ejournals that come free as a result of our print subscriptions?

   RESPONSE: Yes. We will attempt to provide online access to all ejournals that come free as a result of our print subscriptions unless online access is for a brief period of time or is offered only on a pilot or trial basis.

   We will work with EBSCO and FAXON to facilitate an aggregate rather than a title-by-title approach to this access.

6. QUESTION: Should we catalog all indexes and online packages by their main titles (i.e., Proquest, JSTOR)?

   RESPONSE: Yes. All paid electronic resources to which we subscribe will be cataloged in IRIS and will include both an 856 and RU-ONLINE. This policy will be applied even if the resource is not full text or full image (as in the case of indexes).

7. QUESTION: Should we catalog the title-level contents of all indexes and online packages (i.e., individual titles represented in Proquest, ARTFL)?

   RESPONSE: Title-level, or analytical cataloging will be made available at the selector's recommendation. Determining to what level it is possible to link and what are the contents at a particular level will help guide the selector's recommendation.

8. QUESTION: Should the 856/RU-ONLINE combination be added to cataloging records for microfilm titles to which we also have print subscriptions; should both the 856 and RU-ONLINE be added?

   RESPONSE: If a journal print title has an online version and a microform version, add the 856 and RU-ONLINE to both the print and microform cataloging records.

9. QUESTION: Should we add the 856 and RU-ONLINE to previous, outdated titles of journals?

   RESPONSE: If the online version of a journal spans issues which were published under previous titles, add the 856 and RU-ONLINE to the previous titles as well as to the current title.

10. QUESTION: How will ejournals be presented on our web pages, both the RUL page and the research guides; does a connection between these need to be established?

    RESPONSE: WAC will review options and provide guidelines.