Serials control to kardex (Mary Page) Marcia Tuttle 22 Mar 2000 20:41 UTC
---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 15:33:37 -0400 From: Mary Page <mspage@RCI.RUTGERS.EDU> Subject: serials control to kardex Achieving efficiencies in serials processing isn't the reason to automate. There is no evidence -- in our profession or any other -- that investing in information technology yields any increase in efficiency or productivity. The "productivity paradox" has been written about extensively in the business literature. Some studies show that productivity has decreased overall in the US since the 1970's; other studies show that IT invesments have increased manufacturing outputs slightly, but that output in the information/service sectors have actually dropped. There are still very good reasons to automate serials operations, most of which Rachel mentioned in her original post about this topic. In multi-library settings, all libraries have access to information that formerly was accessible only on-site or via a phone consultation. Patrons have better information about what issues have arrived. And, it's easier to share information about holdings with other libraries in consortia. My point is: the primary reason to automate serials operations is to provide more precise information about serials holdings to patrons, and, if applicable, to staff at other sites. With that said, efficiencies CAN be achieved by disecting your workflows (which in many cases, automation forces you to do). But, it's doubtful that automation alone will increase productivity. Just another 2 cents... Mary Page Rutgers ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 15:49:12 PST > From: 5704P@VM1.CC.NPS.NAVY.MIL > Subject: serials module to kardex > > Has any library considered, investigated or actually migrated from the > serials module to kardex? there are murmuring here about investigating > just > such a move. while the serials module makes claiming easier (once the > reports are properly written), handy information is available to patrons > in > the form of the "latest issues note/599 field" and for sites using the > feature, additions in the form of item records and holdings information > can > be really easy, the amount of time it takes to manage the system is > viewed > as unbearable by some of the managers here. also maintenance of the > records > and check-in is about twice as time consuming and we simply do not have > the > staff available to maintain and manage the module. it seems that we do > have > the staff to manage and maintain a kardex. i'm not sure if the > management > wants to make the staff fit the services or the services fit the staff. > what i know is that a strong voice is advocating going back to the > kardex > and the director has lately asked me some pointed questions about what > the > module really does for the library. i'd like to know if we are the > first to > consider such a move. > > cheers, > > Rachel Hollis, Serials Librarian _/ _/ _/_/_/ _/_/_/ > Naval Postgraduate School _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/ > Monterey California _/ _/_/ _/_/_/ _/ > 5704p@vm1.cc.nps.navy.mil _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/ > > http://web.nps.navy.mil/%7erahollis -- Mary Page New Brunswick Libraries Rutgers University mspage@rci.rutgers.edu