I would catalog a Kindle as an object (LDR/06=r), just like a circulating laptop with software titles loaded. It's the equipment that is being cataloged, and it's not being treated as the media for the content.
Content Type: three-dimensional form Media Type: unmediated Carrier Type: object With Extent being something like: "1 Kindle e-book reader" (maybe with the number of titles, as in "1 Kindle e-book reader (25 data files)"). The relationship of the device to the loaded titles is an interesting one. In the records we have we just add 505 contents notes and/or analytical added entries. But it would make sense to use the RDA relationship designators to recognize a specific relationship. I think an Item level relationship makes sense, as a specific copy of a file is being loaded onto a device (the "contains (item)" designator is closest to this idea). This is similar to the idea of items being bound or integrated after the fact of the original release of the main resource, or even of a "digital transfer" from one format to another. Perhaps there needs to be a new designator -- "installed on" and its reciprocal "has installed". In addition, the information about the individual loaded titles as "items" needs to be linked to the works and expressions involved, as users may want to use the catalog to find all instances of a work, even if it's bundled with other works on an e-book reader. The conventions in MARC are a little spotty (added entries could work, but in RDA item level relationships can't use authorized access points). Thomas Brenndorfer Guelph Public Library ________________________________________ From: Resource Description and Access / Resource Description and Access [RDA-L@LISTSERV.LAC-BAC.GC.CA] On Behalf Of Adam L. Schiff [asch...@u.washington.edu] Sent: May-14-12 2:03 PM To: RDA-L@LISTSERV.LAC-BAC.GC.CA Subject: [RDA-L] 336-338 for Kindle e-books I was asked this question: "When cataloging an e-book which is downloaded into Kindle from Amazon.com (for example, a library circulates a Kindle with lots of e-books loaded), what should I put into the 336, 337, 338 fields? How about the e-books which are accessible through other no-computer device, such as smart phone, iPad, etc.? What terms should go into the 33x fields?" It clear that the content type is "text" and the media type is "computer" but should the carrier type be "other" or "online resource"? I think one could argue either way. The definition in RDA of "online resource" is " A digital resource accessed by means of hardware and software connections to a communications network" so perhaps a Kindle download would still fall under this definition? --Adam ************************************** * Adam L. Schiff * * Principal Cataloger * * University of Washington Libraries * * Box 352900 * * Seattle, WA 98195-2900 * * (206) 543-8409 * * (206) 685-8782 fax * * asch...@u.washington.edu * **************************************
