-------- Original Message -------- Subject: maps and MARCIVE(long) Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 08:12:27 -0700 From: [log in to unmask] ------------------ To fellow listserv-ees on both lists: Have any of you had experience with receiving electronic records from MARCIVE, downloaded into INNOPAC? We select all the USGS maps series, like Geographic quadrangles, miscellaneous investigations, water investigations, etc., plus the assorted flat maps that come through the depository system, like CIA maps, census, etc. The records get downloaded twice--a short record, that supposedly arrives first, and is suppressed, and then the longer, full record, that isn't suppressed, and is supposed to overlay the short record. The short record (and the barcode and label) is supposed to come in close to the time you receive the map. We touch the record as we process the map, un-suppress it, and again, supposedly, the long record arrives, overlays the short record, and adds the location and the item record (with the barcode), so the patron can tell the call number, and the library location. (This probably makes little sense to you unless you have this set-up!) But what we are seeing is that the map may come in months before any record, and sometimes we never get the short record, and other times we never get the long record! Or maybe we never get the smartbarcode! If we get some sort of record, I can slap another barcode on and create an item record, and manipulate the record to show the correct location, and unsuppress if I need to. But since we often get only the long record, I have to create an item record to show the patron where the map is (the location that shows to the patron is driven by the item record, and there is no item record until I add one, since it never seems to get here on the weekly load from MARCIVE). Our technical folks are trying to get a response from the MARCIVE folks, but the problem persists, and it seems to be unique to the maps. Most other depository items seem to arrive in close proximity--electronic records (short and long) and smart barcodes from MARCIVE, and the actual items from the depository system. But I would say the majority of our map records come piecemeal, if at all. Generally, we get either short or long, but rarely both. Since I process the maps, I have given up, and just made it my policy to wait for 3 months, and by then, at least one or the other is usually here. If the barcodes don't show up, I add one of our own. But if the long record never comes, we don't have full cataloging. Plus, we are paying for a service that is supposed to be provided by MARCIVE, and with the maps, the service is pretty poor. You can reply off list to me. I would appreciate any feedback to see if this is an overall problem, or seems to be unique to our library! Debra McCracken Research and Information Assistant Lied Library 4505 Maryland Parkway Box 457039 Las Vegas, NV 89154-7039 (702) 895-2186 FAX: (702)895-2285 [log in to unmask]