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Holdings

Storage

Holdings information in SUNCAT is embedded in the bibliographic record. If contributing libraries supply holdings information in separate holdings records this is incorporated into the bibliographic record as part of the pre-load data processing. This data processing also ensures that holdings information is in the format required for display in SUNCAT.

Format

There are three elements to holdings information in SUNCAT:

Location

  • 852$a: code for the contributing library (from the MARC Code List for Organizations if possible)
  • 852$b: code for campus/collection
  • 852$k, $h, $i, $j: call number/shelfmark information

Electronic access

  • 856$u: URL

Holdings statement

  • 852$3 and 856$3: textual extent of holdings statement
  • 852$g, $p, $m, $z and 856$z: notes

Display

Holdings information is displayed after the bibliographic information in the "Full record" display in the SUNCAT OPAC. Information from each 852 tag or 856 tag appears on a separate "line" grouped by contributing library. The holdings area has the following columns: Library; Shelfmark; Availability; Notes. A development goal for SUNCAT Phase 2 is to link from the holdings display to contributing library Web sites.

In the "MARC" display the original tags can be seen, and the virtual HOL field which is created for each 852 and 856 tag and which is used for display.

Display of the "Library" column is governed by a locations table. For each combination of 852$a+852$b the display text is specified in the locations table. Contributing libraries are asked to supply the display text, although there is a limit of 50 characters.

Names of contributing libraries are entered in alphabetical order in the locations table. This table also controls the form of the name used in the "View records for" area of the "Full record" display, but it does not control the order of the names in this area, which is based on system number.

The holdings statement and any notes appear in the "Notes" column.

Electronic access

In order for 856 tags to display in SUNCAT they must be associated with an 852 tag (this is added as part of the data processing if required). The 852$a+$b provide the location information for the 856 tag (using the locations table as described above).

The 856$u generates a clickable "Available online" link in the "Availability" column. The holdings statement will either appear next to the link, or with the associated 852 tag depending on what was supplied by the contributing library. The 852 tag displays below any associated 856 tags.

When a user clicks on the "Available online" link a pop-up box with the following text appears: "Access to this ejournal may be restricted. If your own institution does not subscribe to this title, there may be print holdings available from another library."

SUNCAT contributing libraries vary in their treatment of electronic journals. Some supply separate print and electronic records and others supply combined records. In the SUNCAT project the decision has been made to (virtually) combine records for print and electronic versions of the same serial. Further research on the best way to present electronic journals in SUNCAT will be done in the future.