Re: URLs

M. Jessie Barczak (mailto:jbarczak@MAIL.CASI.STI.NASA.GOV)
Wed, 7 Feb 1996 10:20:02 EST

Message-Id: <199602071529.JAA27516@library.wustl.edu>
Date:         Wed, 7 Feb 1996 10:20:02 EST
From: "M. Jessie Barczak" <mailto:jbarczak@MAIL.CASI.STI.NASA.GOV>
Subject:      Re: URLs
To: Multiple recipients of list WEBCAT-L <mailto:WEBCAT-L@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU>

    John et al:

Should librarians become systems administrators? Do you think systems administrators would become librarians?

What I mean is, consider what your library needs are. If there is a unique need (and funding don't forget) to keep up with ever-changing URLs and URNs, then by all means, forge a partnership for life with your sysops.

However, if the library is only trying to capture new types of access points in the cyberworld, don't dirty up your bib records by adding URLs or URNs that may not stand the test of time.

How many times have you accessed a hyperlink or a web address only to run into a brick wall (Error 404 message)?

MJB M. Jessie Barczak Head of Cataloging NASA Center for AeroSpace Information Baltimore, MD mailto:jbarczak@sti.nasa.gov

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: URLs Author: WEBCAT-L LIST <mailto:WEBCAT-L@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU> at smtplink-casi Date: 2/7/96 9:42 AM

I think you're on the right track. If you're going to publish the URL for that bib record, why not just the bib record? Doing the search again could, if more items have been acquired, produce different results, but depending on what you are really looking for that could be good. Seems that if you've found the bib record it makes just as much (if not more) sense to just save the citation, rather than the URL.

--
John D. Boggs               \ The great thing about human language is
Circulation Librarian &       \  that it prevents us from sticking to
Associate System Administrator  \  the matter at hand.  -Lewis Thomas
Bush Memorial Library, Hamline University.  mailto:jdboggs@piper.hamline.edu