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Library Technical Services > Procedures & Documentation > E-Resources > E-Cat Procedure: pt.6 

CATALOGING PROCEDURES FOR NETWORKED ELECTRONIC RESOURCES, pt. 6

(LTS Procedure #96)

 

 

THIS SECTION IS BEING REWRITTEN as of June 2007.

6. PURL PROCEDURE

6.0 Definition. A PURL (a persistent uniform resource locator) is an intermediate WWW address, which directs users automatically to a specific Web address for a given resource. Once set up, a PURL never needs to be updated, though the URL to which it points may change. For more on PURLs, see "PURL Frequently Asked Questions."

Note: Effective October, 2002, CTS will create PURLs only for resources that are also included in the E-Reference collection. Mann Technical Services staff will provide PURLs for resources cataloged by Mann TS staff.

6.1 Formulating the PURL. CTS or Mann staff create PURLs according to the following format:

http://resolver.library.cornell.edu/[PURL code]/[Voyager BIB ID]

The PURL code reflects the 899 "Local Series Code", if one is present in the BIB record. In the absence of an 899 code, use "misc" as the PURL code.

Examples:

http://resolver.library.cornell.edu/spir/2825071
http://resolver.library.cornell.edu/jsto/1882689
http://resolver.library.cornell.edu/misc/3875665

For aggregated resources which use the URL of the aggregator home page, use the Voyager ID of the bibliographic record for the aggregator, if one exists.

Note: prior to June 8, 2000, we used NOTIS IDs rather than Voyager IDs in new PURLs.

6.2 Setting up the PURL. There are two steps to PURLing: (1) updating the 856 field in the Voyager record, and (2) setting up the PURL in the PURL resolver.

6.2.1. Updating the Voyager record.

  • Remove OPAC suppression: Check the "System" tabs in both the BIB and MFHD. If the "Suppress from OPAC" box has been checked, un-check that box. In other words, ensure that both the BIB and MFHD records now display in the OPAC.
  • Is there an 899 field in the BIB record? If so, check the 899 table for the PURL code associated with the 899. If there is no 899, use "misc" for the PURL code.
  • Update the 856 field. The URL should appear in the 856 $u. Position the cursor after the $u and, with the keyboard in "insert" mode, add a single space, then type the PURL. At the end of the PURL, hit "F9", then type "x". Delete any $z information. The edited 856 should look something like this:
    856 40 $u http://resolver.library.cornell.edu/misc/1234567 $x http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/index.html.

6.2.2. Setting up the PURL in the PURL resolver.

  • Open the PURL creation form.
  • Enter ID and password (available to authorized staff only).
  • In the "PURL" box, replace "NET" with the four-character PURL code for the resource. Type the Voyager BIB ID after the second slash.
  • In the "URL" box, copy and paste the URL from the 856 $x of the Voyager BIB record.
  • Click on "Create PURL."
  • Proofread your work on the confirmation screen, then click on "Confirm" to save the PURL to the server.
  • On the final confirmation screen, click on the PURL to ensure that the link is working properly.

6.3 Workflow: Cornell-only resources.

  • After cataloging the resource in Voyager, including the appropriate URL, the cataloger posts a note to LIBIT-L or uses Web form requesting PURL.
  • If Library Systems creates a new URL for scripting purposes, a PURL will still be necessary if the resource is to be added to Find Databases in ENCompass. But we will not create a PURL for a resource that already has a previously assigned PURL; generally, these will be US government documents with GPO PURLs.
  • CTS or Mann staff creates the PURL (when needed), using the pre-existing or new URL, and adds the PURL to the Voyager record.
  • Staff member checks to make sure that the Voyager record is active, then posts to LIBIT-L, with copy to the cataloger, that PURL has been made.
  • If resource is for the Find Databases Repository, cataloger imports record into Find Databases in ENCompass.
  • Lastly, in CTS, cataloger announces the availability of the record on LIBIT-L, with copy to CUCD-L (the selector list). Other processing centers follow their procedures for announcing availability of the resource.

6.4 Workflow: Free resources.

  • After cataloging the resource in Voyager, including the appropriate URL, the cataloger posts a note to LIBIT-L or uses Web form.
  • CTS staff creates the PURL, using the pre-existing URL, and adds the PURL to the Voyager record.
  • Staff member posts to LIBIT-L, with copy to the cataloger, that PURL has been made.
  • If resource is for the Find Databases Repository, cataloger imports record into Find Databases in ENCompass.
  • Lastly, in CTS, cataloger announces the availability of the record on LIBIT-L, with copy to CUCD-L (the selector list).

6.5. PURL maintenance. CTS staff updates the PURL record if the URL for a resource changes. There is no need to update the Voyager BIB record or the ENCompass Find Databases record for URL changes once a PURL has been assigned and added to the Voyager 856 and the Find Databases URI fields.

6.5.1. Modifying a PURL record.

  • Open the PURL modification form.
  • Enter ID and password (available to authorized staff only).
  • In the "PURL" box, type in the PURL that you wish to modify. Unlike creating a new PURL, you must enter the entire PURL when using the modification form.
  • Click on "Continue".
  • On the second page of the modification form replace the old URL with the new URL. In the "Reason for Change" box type a brief comment, such as "update" or "correction."
  • Click on "Modify PURL" at the bottom of the page.
  • Proofread your work on the confirmation screen, then click on "Confirm" to save the PURL to the server.
  • On the final confirmation screen, click on the PURL to ensure that the link is working properly.

6.5.2 Deactivating a PURL record.

  • Open the PURL modification form.
  • Enter ID and password (available to authorized staff only).
  • In the "PURL" box, type in the PURL that you wish to deactivate. Unlike creating a new PURL, you must enter the entire PURL when using the modification form.
  • Click on "Continue".
  • On the second page of the modification form delete the URL. In the "Reason for Change" box type "deactivation."
  • Click on "Modify PURL" at the bottom of the page.
  • Proofread your work on the confirmation screen, then click on "Confirm" to save the change to the server.