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Chapter 2. A little theory

 

Continuing Integrating Resources
Why Jstor is not an “Integrating Resource”?
Work form for databases and updating web sites

 

With a publication of AACR2 2002 rev. and installation of Voyager 2001.2.1 version, we have received necessary tools for cataloging remote access electronic databases and updating Web sites as a specific type of library materials.

 

It became possible because of new concepts of library materials and new codes for a description of these materials.[1]

 

New cataloging rules more depend on cataloger’s judgment, than previous revision of the AACR2. The rules describe how to create the record and how to reflect changes in the resource in the notes. Make a note or do not make it often is a cataloger’s decision. The rules, which leave the decision for a cataloger, formulated as following: “if the resource is changed, make a note if the changes considered being important”; “add edition statement only if considered important”, etc. The same time, following some rules are mandatory and they do not leave any freedom for cataloging decisions. These groups of core rules ensure consistency of bibliographic description in the shared cataloging environment.

Continuing Integrating Resources

Until the newest revision of AACR2 was published, catalogers knew the two types of issuance – monographs and serials.  So, monograph catalogers underline the monographic features of databases and cataloged them as monograph. Serial catalogers paid more attention to dynamic features of these materials, so they catalog them as serials.

The problem was solved with an invention of the third type of issuance called “integrating resources” (IR)  --  “a bibliographic resource that is added to or changed by means of updates that do not remain discrete and are integrated into the whole.”[2]

Concept of IR was created mainly for bibliographic description of constantly updated electronic resources that are integrated into the whole.  Only one type of printed resources – loose-leafs --has similar features of being recognizable as a whole and the same time continually updated.

AACR2 2002 rev. bibliographic universe includes finite and continuing bibliographic resources. Finite resources are monographs (one or multi-volumes).  They are completed in “one part or intended to be completed within a finite number of parts”.[3]

Continuing bibliographic resources include serials and integrating resources. Serials are “a continuing resource issued in a succession of discrete parts, usually bearing numbering, that has no predetermined conclusion. Examples of serials include journals, magazines, electronic journals, continuing directories, annual reports, newspapers, and monographic series.”[4]Integrating resources are split.  Finite integrating resources are monographs.  Electronic documents published on the Web with no intend to update or continue go to this category of resources.  Look at example of SLA 2002 Conference Web Site (p.7).  This conference happened in the past, and its content cannot be updated.  This is a finite IR.  But majority of IR are continuing integrating resources.

Bibliographic universe (AACR2 2002 rev.)

Materials are currently catalog as IR include:

1) Remote access electronic resources such as electric databases and updated Websites;

2) Loose-leaf resources “consisting of a binder or binders in which pages are added, removed, or replaced until the next edition of the resource in published or until complete”.

3) Republication of IR (can be cataloged as a monograph or as an IR based on the type of issuance of the republication).[5]

Why Jstor is not Integrating Resource?

This is easy to recognize finite and continuing IR.  A finite integrating resource is issued over time with a predetermined conclusion.  The same as a monographic set, it is “intended for completion within a finite number of iterations or repeated issues.”[6]  Much more complicated issue is recognition of continuing IR and serials.

Both integrating resources and serials constitute the class of  “continuing resources”.[7] Both are issued over time indefinitely. The main difference between serials and integrating resources is that serials are issued in discrete parts, which remain available for readers while integrated resources are issued with updates, and do not discrete.

 

The important questions to make a cataloging decision:

(1) Are this remote access electronic material is discrete (have separate parts/issues)?
(2) Are the earlier issues or updates available?
(3) Are parts/issues numbered?
 

If answers are “yes”, catalog it as a serial, if “no” – this is a continuing integrating resource.
Continuing electronic IR includes updating Web sites and updating databases. What is the difference?

The important questions are:

(1) Does this IR have a uniform organization of records?
(2) Does it include search software?
 

Both answers are “yes” – this is a database.
Both answers are “no” – this is an updating web site.
1st answer is “no”, 2nd answer is “yes” – this is an updating web site.

Recent development of cataloging policy[8] limits the usage of IR records by taking away the large group of remote electronic databases – “serial packages”.   “Serial packages” are remote access electronic databases that include entire serial and are alternative or/and replacement to the print journals.  CONSER decision is to catalog them as serials.  Examples are JSTOR, Synergy, ScienceDirect, Ingenta.   CONSER catalogers will catalog titles in article databases, and other aggregated packages, which make journals accessible online and keep their internal structure (articles, other journal materials) similar to their printed copy.

The other type of remote electronic database – strictly speaking “databases” – organized by topics, subjects, dates, etc.  These databases can include all or selected articles from serials and other sources, but in most cases the serial cannot be found in the database as a discrete entity.  The only this, second type of databases, is cataloged as an integrating resource.  The examples are ProQuest, Academic Universe, Mergent Online, Britannica Online, etc.

Logically, this limitation is not perfect, but this is practical because allows catalog together e-journals and their aggregations.  The letter especially important because often continuing IR and serials are cataloged by different individuals and sometimes in the different departments.

There is another important detail.   If the database is an online service, it should be cataloged as a type “m” (computer file) item. But if it primarily textual, this is a type “a” (language material).
 

*Remember, that electronic journals, magazines, continuing electronic directories, annual reports, and newspapers are serials also (AACR2 Appendix D-7).

 

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