Electronically Enriched Enhancements in Catalog Records: A Use Study of Books Described on Records with URL Enhancements versus Those Without

Abstract

ABSTRACTElectronically enriched content in OCLC can be found on catalog records with URL links displaying such information as dust jackets, book reviews, tables of contents, sample text, and publisher's descriptions. These electronic enhancements mirror book records which are available from the highly popular Web site Amazon.com. Online vendors such as SIRSI can customize these enhancements for the online catalog through such companies as Syndetic Solutions. A use study of books described on catalog records with electronically enriched contents versus those without indicates higher usage of books which are depicted on records with electronic enhancements. A further result indicates that higher use of books described by enhanced catalog records are also found with searchable 505 Table of Contents or 520 Summary field notes in the MARC record.KEYWORDS: Use studiescatalogingtable of contentsAmazon.comSIRSI CorporationSyndetic SolutionsInc.