Serials Cataloging (online learning course)

Instructor: Susan M. Sutch

Serials Cataloging
(An Infopeople online learning course)
February 10, 2004 - March 9, 2004

Serials subscriptions can represent a significant part of a library's budget, and with the advent of online serials, facilitating access to and usage of serials information is more challenging than ever. Cataloging rules for both print and electronic serials are in transition. It can be hard to decide how to manage serials records to serve patron needs.

This serials cataloging course has been designed for students who already know basic MARC cataloging principles but would like to learn more about the issues specific to working with serials records. You will learn the skills you need to handle serials-related work such as editing MARC records to reflect format and title changes, mixing records for print and electronic serials, and aggregating subscription records most effectively for access.

Workshop Description: This four-week online learning course will introduce you to up-to-date cataloging practices for serials. Through individual and group exercises you will review serials records from other institutions and have a chance to compare your library's cataloging practices with others. You will also explore the benefits of serial record edits for patron access. The instructor will provide templates, cheat sheets, and a bibliography, as well as practical, useful tips that can be applied immediately.

During the course you will be doing exercises and taking quizzes. You will also participate in online discussion forums as part of the online learning process.

Preliminary Course Outline: Using your web browser and your Internet connection, you will log in to the Infopeople Blackboard online learning site and complete the following learning modules:

• Module One: Print Serials
  • Definition and types of serials
  • Descriptive cataloging elements
  • Sources for information
  • Common fixed and variable tags
  • Conditions for making cataloging changes
• Module Two: Electronic Serials
  • Difference between electronic serial and integrating resource
  • Sources of information
  • New tags in electronic format, not applicable in print
• Module Three: Mixing Print and Electronic Serials
  • Single record approach
  • Multiple record approach
  • Pros and cons
• Module Four: Aggregation Cataloging
  • Individual MARC record approach
  • Separate non-MARC database approach
  • Vendor offerings

Pre-workshop assignment: Students will be expected to contribute current serials catalog records to the class for discussion. You will also need a copy of the most current AACR2 in order to reference Chapters 9 and 12 as needed.

Online Learning Details: This four-week course will be taught online using the web. When you register, you will receive a registration confirmation which will include the URL to get to the course, as well as a username and password. Serials Cataloging will start on February 10, 2004 and end on March 9, 2004.

The workshop consists of four one-and-a-half to two-hour learning modules. You can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night. However, you will be expected to log in to the course each week to do that week's assignment. We ask that you log in sometime during the first week of the course to begin the course work.

The materials will remain available to work on for two additional weeks following the official end date, but you will be expected to accomplish the majority of the course in synchronization with your peers during the first four weeks.

Who Should Take This Course: Anyone who has some cataloging experience but is new to cataloging, editing and maintaining access to serials records. This overview course is not designed for experienced serials catalogers who want an in-depth update on recent changes to AACR2.

Prerequisites: To be successful in this course, you should be comfortable working with both fixed and variable fields in MARC records, as well as leading indicator edits. This course assumes the student has already done some minimal original cataloging for monographs and/or some record editing for serials records. Basic cataloging and MARC concepts will not be covered.

This course is taught over the web. You must:

• Have an Internet connection and Internet Explorer 5 or higher (some of the quiz functions do not work properly in Netscape).
• Be able to save a file to your computer and print it out using Microsoft Word or a compatible word processing program.
• Be comfortable navigating on the web and navigating back and forward on a website that uses frames.

If you are not comfortable with any of the above, please consider taking this course with a colleague who does meet these requirements.