NASIG 2018

The world of eBook records can be quite divergent, depending on the source of those records. In the past, most libraries downloaded records from OCLC, edited them and uploaded them to their local ILS. Today, some libraries carry on a similar process, but also receive records directly from the publishers. Other libraries get their MARC records from different vendors or choose to create them on their own. Depending on the source of the eBook, MARC record content and quality can vary greatly.

An engaging session about Metadata 2020 at the NASIG Annual Conference last year led us to wonder; is there a way to assess how libraries, publishers, and vendors are currently operating in this space for eBook records? While not as lofty as the aspirations of CrossRef, we wanted to take a look at what can be done in the short-term to improve metadata and cataloging workflows. Each presenter has a unique relationship with the ""provide access"" stage of the electronic resources life cycle and wanted to share their experiences on cataloging, standards, and workflows.

While presenter interactions are different, one common thread was quickly discovered; there is no standard experience in delivering MARC records to libraries. Furthermore, an examination of eBook records from across various community platforms also shows differences in record quality from different sources. This disparate experience between vendors and publishers causes frustration for libraries who strive for consistency in their local collections. As a result, they are forced to adopt specific cataloging workflows to accommodate. This could be rectified with a more unified approach. Creating a cross-industry dialog between libraries, publishers, and vendors about MARC record quality and maximizing workflow would certainly benefit all stakeholders.

The purpose of this presentation is to present comparative MARC data from two libraries with different cataloging practices. This data will be compared to a publisher’s cataloging practices and their plans for refining the experience. The outcome would be to suggest a set of best practices for what kind of records publishers and vendors should distribute to libraries, in order to increase eBook discoverability and drive usage. This multi-library/publisher partnership attempts to examine these differences and posit suggestions for areas of collaboration and improvement. We hope that this presentation will help further that conversation and transform the way you look at eBook records.