Re-thinking Serials Librarianship Birdie MacLennan 08 Mar 1993 18:30 UTC
2 messages, 85 lines: ----------------------- Date: Mon, 8 Mar 1993 09:30:59 EST From: Joyce Gartrell <gartrell@CUNIXF.CC.COLUMBIA.EDU> Subject: Re: Re-thinking Serials Librarianship Excellent question, Birdie. Seems to me it would be a very good topic for an informal discussion at NASIG this year. Is it too late to squeeze something like this in? And the discussion really needs to happen this year as many of us are in the midst of these kinds of serial cancellation fall-out. Columbia University cancelled some $250,000 worth of serials, but we're not sure whether we're seeing the fall out yet or not, because, of course, the subscriptions don't run out until the end of the current subscription. We're certainly feeling a slowdown, but we're not sure if it's the cancelled subscription syndrome, the budget cuts that have affected some binding funds, etc. In regard to your question about combining depts., with the use of an integrated system, like NOTIS, the overlap between the acquisitions process, the downloading/cataloging of titles, the adding of holdings all become intertwined, and we find we are more and more dependent on each other for problem solving, much of it caused by this intermingling of tasks. Here at Columbia the two departments are physically separated, so it would be rather difficult to combine us, but once the building we are in is renovated, the plan currently is to put us in the same room together. And although it hasn't been discussed at great length, there certainly will be some combining of and elimination of tasks. Currently two of my support staff in Serials Cataloging are helping with the Kardex Conversion, which has nothing to do with their jobs, but their expertise in serials makes them invaluable as extra hands for this monumental task. Thanks for asking the question. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say. Joyce Gartrell Head, Serials Processing (formerly Serials Cataloging) Columbia University Libraries NYC -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 8 Mar 1993 08:47:33 -0800 From: Mitch Turitz <turitz@SFSUVAX1.SFSU.EDU> Subject: Re: Re-thinking Serials Librarianship Birdie - in response to your questions, here are my (personal) observations: * "Downsizing" has a NEGATIVE effect on morale. People are expected to to at least the same amount of work as prior to the "downsizing", but with less resources (staff, subscriptions, resources, even phone calls).. * Automation, which had in previous decades been justified by claiming that it would reduce the need for staff, has turned out to be the opposite! Serials automation is very complicated and does not reduce the number of people checking in issues. Maintenance of automated systems are equivalent, or longer, then maintenance of older catalog card and/or manual check-in systems. All system-generated claims need to be manually checked before sending out, to make sure that the claims are indeed what we want to claim (and who to claim from). * Hardware/software shelf-life has decreased so that it needs replacing EVERY 5 YEARS at least! This is especially frustrating as vendors cease to support old hardware/software and funding for upgrades is non-existant. * The role of Collection Development seems to be changing from ordering new serials to cancelling current subscriptions and trying to define what a "minimal core collection" is. * Inter-library loan staff seem to have increased workloads, but no compensation for the consequences of the massive periodical cancellations. _^_ _^_ ( ___ )-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-( ___ ) | | | | | | ********************************************** | | | | * Mitch Turitz, Serials Librarian * | | | | * San Francisco State University Library * | | | | * 1630 Holloway Ave., S.F., CA 94132 * | | | | * Voice: (415) 338-7883 FAX: (415) 338-6199 * | | | | * Internet: turitz@sfsu.edu * | | | | ********************************************** | | | | | | | | As usual, should you or any of your opinions | | | | be caught or killed, the library will | | | | disavow any knowledge of your actions. | | |___| |___| ( ___ )-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-( ___ ) V V