One Record or Two

Abstract The proliferation of online versions of printed publications during the spring of 1996 led a number of catalogers to question the necessity for creating separate catalog records. Many catalogers, frustrated with the lack of a multiple versions solution, favored finding a way to use the existing print records to notify patrons of the online version. CONSER catalogers, while recognizing their commitment to the national database, were equally interested in finding alternatives, and others expressed an interest in knowing what CONSER would do. In order to gather feedback for policy-setting, Hirons posted inquiries to various online discussion lists and a thoughtful and lively debate ensued. Hirons discusses the issues leading up to the discussion, factors of importance for CONSER, the interim guidelines that have been developed, and possible next steps.