Learning the 856 Field

I've started a new phase of my project--adding links of digital versions of pamphlets to our catalog! This is a pretty simple task since I spent a lot of time making sure digital versions I found were exactly the same as the pamphlets we have. The fact that I have so many to add also shows me how important this project really is for the library. While we did have about 2-300 links already in the catalog, I have been adding just as many. This allows patrons to view our resources when special collections is open-or more clearly. The digital versions don't replace the real thing, but many users prefer the ease of online access.

What I have to do to the MARC record is add what is known as the 856 field. The 856 field means Electronic Location and Access. The first indicator I use is 4 which simple means HTTP. The second indicator I use is 1 which means version of resource. I use this because we hold the pamphlets in special collections, but this means there is a digital version. I use two subfield codes: u and z. The first means "uniform resource identifier" and is where the URL goes. The second is a public note field. I use this note to give credit to the owner of the digital copy and it shows up as the link users can click to view the item. Below are 2 screen shots of how the field looks in Millennium and how it looks on our OPAC.

If you want to know more about the 856 field check out: http://www.loc.gov/marc/856guide.html

A record I've added the 856 field to.

What the record now looks like in the OPAC.

In honor of Valentine's Day...a day late

If you didn't know how nerdy I am already, you'll understand now.

So Cupid--remember him? The little guy with the bow? Well if you're not into Roman mythology then you may not remember that he's actually a god. If you're more a fan of the Greek's (or Plato) you may know him as Eros. Now imagine being from a time when you actually had to read Latin and study ancient history (I'm sure most of you don't remember that). And imagine being a college student then.

 Right so no I'm going to guess your idea of fun would not include writing pamphlets about Cupid would they? And especially not in the format of an epic poem. Because that would take a lot of work and thought and creativity. But that is what "Hercules Samson Fressmarkle" and "Jupiter Tonans Donnerhagel" did (what great pseudonyms!). We have two pamphlets by these young gentlemen and they are quite funny. I especially love that one of them is dedicated to the ladies, because this obviously how men should woo women. Unfortunately only one of them is currently digitized by HathiTrust, but please do enjoy taking a glace at it:

1."Cupid Abroad," Arrested: Or, a Random Bolt at Hercules Samson Fressmarkle, by Jupiter Tonans Donnerhagel
  http://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/7601474.html

2. Cupid Abroad. An Epic Poem

 PS Does anyone use the phrase barmie noodle? I'm rather fond of it now that I've discovered it.