Re: A-Z Lists vs. the OPAC John Lucas 11 Feb 2005 21:17 UTC
Hello Tony and all: I have not been following this message string, so I do not know of someone else has mentioned this. To the best of my understanding, this is how it works here. We have an A - Z list which my boss maintains. He feels that I have enough on my plate just identifying and handling problems with all the other serials duties. Or cataloger does use the 856 fields for the links. However the links only go to the A or B or J or whatever letter is appropriate for the first word of the journal title. Because of license restrictions, it does not work through our general standup catalogs, but when our authorized users log into the library home page and then search our catalog, the links go to our A - Z list. That is how I understand it. I have been wrong in the past and am sure to be wrong in this or some alternate future reality. (sorry but it is friday) HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR LIFE. (why limit yourself to just one day) -----Original Message----- From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Michelle Kraft Sent: Friday, February 11, 2005 1:09 PM To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: [SERIALST] A-Z Lists vs. the OPAC At my previous library we had both an A-Z list and the journals listed in the OPAC. We found that most of our users were more familiar and wanted the journals in an A-Z list. Rarely did they search for a journal through our OPAC. However, we felt that the journals should be in the OPAC because we (library staff) searched for our journals that way, the OPAC allowed us to see things down the issue level, and there were patrons who wanted to search for journals in the OPAC. So we had two access points for journals, but we did notice that the majority of patrons preferred and used the A-Z list. Michelle -------------------------------- Michelle Kraft Medical Librarian South Pointe Hospital 4110 Warrensville Center Rd. Warrensville Heights, OH 44122 (216) 491-7454 mkraft@cchseast.org -----Original Message----- From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU]On Behalf Of Tony Goodwyn Sent: Friday, February 11, 2005 12:23 PM To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [SERIALST] A-Z Lists vs. the OPAC Hello, serialists! Recently, the idea was raised about taking an A-Z List from a link resolver and using it almost completely in lieu of the library OPAC to search for journal information. I'm wondering a few things about this, and, being pretty new to serials, I'd really like some opinions about it. I'm intrigued by the idea, but I'm not sure I have the perspective to see what some potential problems might be. Does anyone on this list have experience in dealing with this subject? Any advice, issues, or considerations I should know about? Any input would be appreciated. Best, Tony Tony Wren Goodwyn Serials/Electronic Access Librarian St. Olaf College 1520 St. Olaf Ave. Northfield, MN 55057 __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we. http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail John Lucas Serials Librarian University of Mississippi Medical Center 2500 North State St Jackson, MS 39216-4505 (PH) (601) 984-1277 (FAX) ( 601) 984-1262 JLUCAS@ROWLAND.UMSMED.EDU