Yes, that is similar to the way we used to do it.  Although, we used a
notebook instead with the journal titles in it with room for the
tallies.  A little less messy and awkward as a clipboard can be
especially if you have a lot of titles.

Now we actually open a designated spreadsheet and add in the usage on a
daily basis.  This eliminates the need to go back and enter the data.
We have formulas that automatically add the total for each title.  A
little time-consuming to set up, but very efficient and clean once
you've got it going.

Also, we made signs directed at the patrons that say:

<in large letters>
Save yourself the trouble.

Please place journals here.

<in smaller letters>
Librarians take statistics of journals in order to assess usage.  Rest
assured that the journals will return to their rightful home after that.

Barb

barb dietsch | serials coordinator
epa library | unc contract staff
109 alexander drive | mail code c267-01
research triangle park, nc 27711
phone: 919.541.0726
fax: 919.541.1405
dietsch.barbara@epa.gov

><(((º>.··..··..··..··.<º)))><

             "Boyter, Leslie"
             <lboyter@SECSTAT
             E.WA.GOV>                                               To
             Sent by:                 SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
             "SERIALST:                                              cc
             Serials in
             Libraries                                          Subject
             Discussion               Re: [SERIALST] Tracking usage of
             Forum"                   non-circulating periodicals
             <SERIALST@list.u
             vm.edu>

             11/12/2008 02:52
             PM

              Please respond
                    to
                "SERIALST:
                Serials in
                Libraries
                Discussion
                  Forum"
             <SERIALST@list.u
                 vm.edu>

Rochelle,

At one library I worked at, the patrons were asked not to re-shelve the
periodicals they looked at. Instead, they were directed to put them on a
re-shelving cart instead. On the cart was a clipboard with a list of all
the titles, and the circulation staff would put tally marks next to the
title for every issue on the cart before they re-shelved them. The
papers on the clipboard were gathered up quarterly and the tally marks
were counted and input into a database.

As with any system, it's not perfect, but it seemed to work pretty well.
You just have to watch out for patrons who try to be helpful by
re-shelving the items instead of putting them on the cart.

Leslie R Boyter
Serials Specialist
Washington State Library
lboyter@secstate.wa.gov
360-704-5220

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Rochelle Van Erem
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 11:29 AM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Tracking usage of non-circulating periodicals

        At my institution, we do not circulate our journals and they are
not
        barcoded. Could someone provide some ways to track usage?
        We are considering the idea of wrapping them in paper and then
        counting
        broken seals at a later date; has anyone tried that method?

        It sounds messy. Could someone suggest something better?

        Thanks,

        Rochelle Van Erem
        Serials
        St. Norbert College Library
        100 Grant Street
        De Pere, WI 54115 USA
        phone (920) 403-3270
        fax (920) 403-4079

--

Thanks,

Rochelle Van Erem
Serials Specialist
St. Norbert College Library
100 Grant Street
De Pere, WI  54115 USA
phone (920) 403-3270
fax (920) 403-4079