Electronic Books

Definition: A digital version of a traditional print book designed to be read on a personal computer or an e-book reader (a software application for use on a standard-sized computer or a book-sized computer used solely as a reading device). Synonymous with digital book, e-book, ebook, and online book. (ODLIS)

Rules for Cataloging Electronic Books in Minerva:

  • Kindles, Ipads, NOOKs, Rocket E-Readers, etc., are cataloged as equipment, not as electronic books.
  • Electronic books are often licensed from vendors such as NetLibrary, Gale Virtual Reference Library, Rittenhouse R2 Library, etc.
  • Electronic books need their own bibliographic record because the material types of the print counterparts are different. Print books have a material type of “a PRINTED MTL” and electronic books have a material type of “x E BOOK”.
  • Any url links and login instructions that do not pertain to all Minerva libraries must be put in the item record.

For example, Thomas College patrons have access to the e-book “The Encyclopedia of Survey Research Methods” and have added the following 856 to their item record:

856 40 |zThomas College Access|uhttp://galenet.galegroup.com//eBooks?ste=CX3733&q=thmscollib

General Rules:

  • Body of record (AACR areas 1-6; MARC 2XX, 3XX, 4XX) describes online document.
  • Notes and added entries (AACR area 7; MARC 5XX, 7XX) note existence of related print version.

Marc Leader:

  • LDR/06 =” a” language material
  • Material Type = “x” E Book

006: Field for Electronic Resources (additional coding for electronic/computer aspects of the resource)

  • Typecode = “m” computer file electronic source
  • File Type = “d” Document

007: Physical Description Fixed Field (Code for the electronic aspects of the resource)

  • Mat Catg = “c” Electronic Resource

008: Fixed Field (Code for the continuing resource aspects of the resource)

  • Form Item = “s” electronic
  • Date Type = “s” single

245: Title and Statement of Responsibility

  • Do not use a GMD (h subfield) per RDA

260: |c: Single Date of Publication

  • For non-serial (continuing) electronic resources subfield |c should represent the original print resource.

300: Physical Description

  • No physical Description for remote access e-resources (internet resources)

533: Reproduction Note

  • This note should describe the type of reproduction, place, publisher, date, notes about the reproduction.
  • Electronic reproduction. |bFarmington Hills, Mi:|cGale, |d2008.|nAvailable via World Wide Web.

538: System Requirement Note / Mode of access

  • Note special hardware/software requirements and means of access for this resource.

856: Electronic location and access

  • URL and note should be placed in item record for Minerva records.

856 4 0 |zLibrary Access |uhttp://www.loc.gov

  • Example of Electronic Book Bibliographic Record: