For the immediate future, I expect the standard approach to multivolume works in GBS will be via WorldCat. Bibliographic records machine-generated via the OCLC e-Content Synchronization Project include volume-specific 856 fields (with the associated volume identified in subfield $3). It can run to several screens of volume-specific links, but any port in a storm. If these records are exposed for retrieval via Google, that would certainly facilitate volume-level discovery.
-----Original Message-----
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries [mailto:NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Frances Dean McNamara
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 2:05 PM
To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] Searching
Maybe we should be working with Google to agree on a standard way to dump our catalogs plus holdings, and let them (and anyone else) crawl it with the intention of being able to link back to library holdings. This was suggested in a podcast where Marshall Breeding and the guy from Polaris and someone else were talking to an engineer from Google book Search. Let's do that.
It is true that Google has not figured out how to let you get a multi volume works in an efficient manner. I imagine they will eventually, at least in the G Book Search part.
Frances McNamara
University of Chicago
-----Original Message-----
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries [mailto:NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Ross Singer
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 3:10 PM
To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] Searching
Also, I would like to point out that Worldcat was bucketloads of fail
in this equation.
1) It appeared nowhere in my Google results.
2) The 2nd link in Google /was a freaking Dynix catalog page/
3) It could not show me the holdings of my local public library
4) When I searched it directly, I couldn't find the record that I had
with the OCLC number -- even though it /knows where I live/, it didn't
show me a record anywhere near me in the first page
So a search in Worldcat Local for bibliotheca americana brings back a
ton of stuff.
Overwhelmed, I click on the "Joseph Sabin" facet.
FROM THERE THE RECORD I WANTED WAS #41. WORLDCAT TRIED TO HOCK FORTY
ONE THINGS, THE CLOSEST OF WHICH IS 2 HOURS AWAY (UTK), when there was
a copy a half hour away. -- And, if I was looking for v. 19, there's a
copy 10 minutes away (not that Worldcat can tell me that, per #3).
So, yeah -- some switchboard.
Shows you that maybe Casy Bisson's and Tim Spalding's argument that
we're failing because we're not really on the web might actually have
some legs.
-Ross.
On Thu, May 7, 2009 at 3:57 PM, Ross Singer <rossfsinger_at_gmail.com> wrote:
> Wait a minute, there was nothing about a "digitized copy" in the
> "requirements document".
>
> I found a copy. Near me. Using a simple Google search and my head
> for slightly more than a hat rack.
>
> -Ross.
>
> On Thu, May 7, 2009 at 3:53 PM, Patrick Cates <Cates_at_gts.edu> wrote:
>> Re: Sabin: the point is there is no simple search to find it. It's
>> there on GBS, but good luck finding it because GBS doesn't link volumes
>> in a set or even indicate volume #s on the results pages. A library
>> catalog treats sets as sets. If I can find the record for Sabin, I can
>> find all the volumes. If I search the keywords Sabin Bibliotheca
>> Americana in a library catalog, if it's owned, I'll find it and I can
>> get any volume I need off the shelf. In GBS, those keywords give you
>> 1751 results, the irrelevant ones begin with the fifth result, and you
>> have to click on each of the relevant ones to see if it is what you
>> want. Again, the point is sometimes it is not easier to search GBS etc.
>> than a library catalog.
>>
>> My other point was that even if you find the book (Parsons), if you
>> can't get the stuff in it, it's worthless. And the title is in Parsons,
>> BTW.
>>
>> Patrick Cates
>> Technical Services Librarian
>> St. Mark's Library
>> General Theological Seminary
>> 175 Ninth Avenue
>> New York, NY 10011
>> 212-243-5150 x354
>>
>>
>> This e-mail was sent from the GTS and Desmond Tutu Center email service. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, please notify the sender immediately or call us at 212.243.5150 x376.
>>
>
Received on Thu May 07 2009 - 17:26:58 EDT