GPO Seeks Feedback on 856 Field Cataloging Change

In response to feedback received from the FDLP community since implementing the use of Provider-Neutral E-Monograph Record in August 2009, Library Services and Content Management (LSCM) is seeking comments on its proposal to add the origin URL of a Web-based publication in an 856 field in the MARC record. This change will affect how cataloging records appear in the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP) and in the OCLC database. Specifically, adding the URL to the 856 field will:

• Identify the URL at the time of cataloging and PURL assignment record the original URL for historical purposes. This URL is not maintained over time. The PURL should be used as the linking URL.
• Be suppressed from the standard view and the brief results list in the CGP and so will not be a linkable field in the CGP.
• Only appear in the MARC view in the CGP.
• Appear in records in the OCLC database.

The following is an example of a possible MARC view in the CGP (where BL=blank indicator value):

856 with no indicators: <Locate in a Library link>
856 4BL: URL of original document (Proposed additional field)
856 40: PURL
856 41: PURL
856 42: URL to a related resource

Unless the community identifies an issue that would prevent this modification, GPO will implement this change to its cataloging practice on February 23, 2010. Comments must be received by February 12, 2010. Submit comments using the Provider-Neutral E-Monograph Record Practice Modification Comment Form.