Rosana,
It can take a lot of effort (and lines) to display specific holdings in your holdings statement, depending on how many gaps you have. We do specific holdings ranges (i.e. identify exact ranges and gaps/missing issues) if it takes 6 lines or less. If there are more gaps than that our holdings look just like yours (including the “scattered issues missing” note).
However, we do have the “Latest received” link that takes customers to the checkin card for more information. We only have the latest card available at any given time, so only the most recent piece-level information is shown for titles, which is usually fine except for long-running titles with lots of missing issues. Luckily, with Innovative Interfaces’ last update, we now have 120 boxes per card, so we can show more piece-level information (up to 120 pieces, until we start a new card and suppress the full one). I do not know how often customers actually look at the checkin cards, but it is available to them (and our public services staff) to view.
One thing to consider is inventory. Do you know when a newspaper is missing (after it has been received)? Is it marked as missing in your checkin card? Even if you show the customers your checkin card via the “latest received” link, it only tells them that something arrived or is expected unless you update the boxes when something is missing, removed, in binding, etc.
Having specific holdings information requires regular maintenance and updates. It takes time, but it may save someone else time going and looking for something that is not available. You have to find a balance and determine which activity is a more effective use of time and/or which one is less frustrating to deal with (for customers and staff).
Unfortunately, I cannot think of an example of a title we have that uses 6 lines of holdings statements so that I can show you what it looks like in our catalog. I will send you a link if I stumble across one, in case that is helpful to you.
~Leslie
Leslie R Boyter
Serials Specialist
Washington State Library
360-704-5220
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From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Rosana Salinas
Sent: Friday, March 02, 2012 9:04 AM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Public display for newspapers
I’m currently analyzing the best way to display our holdings for the newspapers. For example, Austin American-Statesman, Dallas Morning News, The Los Angeles Times, etc. The person supervising this area would like for our patrons to have access to our exact holdings. We can provide a link that will take them to our check-in boxes. All we provide right now is this: (10/01/2011-Current) Some scattered issues may be missing. I should also mention that we keep most of our newspapers behind a desk. Only the most current issue is on display. Neither of us is a cataloger. Although I don’t really see a problem with this idea, I have not found a library that gives the patron this much information.
Does anyone provide exact holdings for newspapers?
Rosana Salinas
Serials Librarian
University of Texas Pan American
(956) 665-2759