eBooks in the Online Catalog: Challenges and Opportunities

Gary Moore, Susannah Benedetti

University of North Carolina Wilmington

OLAC Conference 2006

Mesa, Arizona

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New Technologies & Changing Computer Culture

• Proliferation of devices– Handhelds, laptops, MP3 players, cell

phones, smart phones– Continues to change

• More ubiquitous every day, especially with younger patrons / Millennials

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Impact on Libraries

• Books will never go away, but…• Many patrons now expect electronic

resources available online• Libraries can stay relevant in a changing

world driven by portability & flexibility• Retain traditional resources, embrace

electronic resources• eBooks are an example of a traditional

resource in an electronic format

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NetLibrary

• OCLC eContent provider

• eBooks, eAudiobooks

• 100,000+ titles1

• 14,000 libraries worldwide

• Web-based platform

1 http://www.oclc.org/netlibrary/

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Randall Library, UNCW

• Free access to selected NetLibrary collections through state-funded library resource provider NC LIVE (North Carolina Libraries for Virtual Education)

• Two options for access– NetLibrary search interface at

http://www.netlibrary.com/– NetLibrary MARC records available for

download into local OPAC

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Local Priorities

• Increase quantity of library collection– Duplicate print titles in electronic format– Electronic titles new to collection

• Provide records in the OPAC– Allows discovery through browsing &

searching

• Allow full text searching through NetLibrary search interface

• Offer remote access, off campus

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Local Implementation

• Downloaded NetLibrary MARC records from NC LIVE– Local ILS is Innovative Interfaces Inc. (III)

• Discovered issues requiring local modification of NetLibrary records– Display– Access points– Consortium

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NetLibrary MARC recordBoxes represent fieldsrequiringmodification; seeslides below fordetails

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Display Issue: Material type “h” generates OPAC icon for eBooks

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Material type “h” generates identical icon for eAudiobooks

eBookeAudiobook

Confusing display for patrons

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New material type “y” generates separate icon for eAudiobooks

eBook

eAudiobook

More intuitive display for patrons

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Display Issue: 856 subfield z Public Note for eBooks

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Revised 856 subfield z Public Note for eBooks

• NetLibrary simplified its interface

• “Viewing” eBooks has replaced the “check out” and “preview” options

• Hyperlink reflects simplification

• Added new hyperlink to Instructions

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eBook Instructions Page

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Display Issue: 856 subfield z Public Note for eAudiobooks

856 hyperlink is wordy and unclear

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Revised 856 subfield z Public Note for eAudiobooks

• Simplified the download hyperlink

• Added new hyperlink to Instructions

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eAudiobook Instructions Page

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Subject Access Issues

• NetLibrary records have 655 fields• 655 not indexed in Innovative Interfaces Inc.• Innovative’s Global Update feature used to

change:– 655 Electronic books to

• 650 Electronic books (eBooks)– 655 Downloadable audio books to

• 690 Downloadable audio books (eAudiobooks)

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Access Issue: 655 form/genre term for eBooks

655 field not indexed or searchable in local ILS

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650 subject heading for eBooks

• Changed 655 to 650 subject heading

• 650 field is searchable

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Access Issue: 655 form/genre term for eAudiobooks

• 655 field not indexed or searchable in ILS

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690 local subject heading for eAudiobooks

• Changed 655 to 690 local heading

• 690 field is searchable

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eBooks & eAudiobooks in a Library Consortium

• Coastal Carolina Consortium– University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)– University of North Carolina Pembroke (UNCP)– Fayetteville State University (FSU)

• Catalog is shared between three university libraries

• Separate bibliographic and item locations for each university designated “w,” “p,” “f”

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eBooks & eAudiobooks in a Library Consortium

• UNCW downloads NetLibrary MARC records from NC LIVE

• Bibliographic location must allow access for all three libraries

• Assign bib location “ci” for consortium

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Overview of Local Solutions

• Creation of new material type & icon

• Clarification of 856 public note hyperlinks

• Creation of 856 Instructions hyperlink

• Changed 655s to 650/690

• Assigned bibliographic location “ci” for consortium access

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Results

• Distinction of eBook and eAudiobook search results

• More intuitive 856 hyperlinks & instructions

• Searchable subject headings– 650 Electronic books– 690 Downloadable audio books

• Consortium-wide access to eBooks and eAudiobooks

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Additional Issues & Solutions

• NetLibrary eAudiobooks are DRM protected WMA files, which are not playable on all devices

• This includes iPods, which may account for up to 75% of the MP3-player market2

• Solution: Library purchased several DRM compatible MP3 players to circulate to patrons

2 Levy, Steven. “A revolution in your pocket.” Los Angeles Times, 22 October 2006: 1M. Online. LexisNexis® Academic. 23 October 2006

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Additional Issues & Solutions

• NetLibrary continues to enhance its interface and functionality

• Solution: Library updates MARC records, Web links, and instructions to maintain accurate and up to date information

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Conclusions

• Access to eBooks & eAudiobooks through NetLibrary search interface is valuable

• Integration of NetLibrary MARC records into OPAC is valuable– Increases the library's collection– Provides remote & portable access to

eContent

• Local solutions improve OPAC access

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Contact Information

Gary Moore Susannah Benedetti

Special Formats Catalog Librarian Coordinator of Cataloging Services

William M. Randall Library William M. Randall Library

UNC-Wilmington UNC-Wilmington

601 S. College Road 601 S. College Road

Wilmington, NC 28403-5616 Wilmington, NC 28403-5616

910-962-4252 910-962-4243

mooreg@uncw.edu benedettis@uncw.edu