Circulating serials (SUMMARY) Frieda Rosenberg 06 Sep 1995 14:38 UTC
A hearty "thank you" to everyone who responded to my questions about serial holdings, barcoding, and circulation. I heard from eleven libraries: six NOTIS, 1 GEAC, 1 Innovative Interfaces, and 1 Aleph (an Israeli system); 1 DRA. I also heard from one person who did not identify her system. Do you have an integrated system? If not, do you have a separate check-in system? Does your system include a binding module? *Nearly all libraries all said they did not yet have a binding module or had a non-functional binding module (Aleph and Innovative do have one), and five said they either used a separate check-in system from their integrated system or relied on an order/payment record to check in. Those who did check in commented on lack of space, lack of a way to update holdings from check-in; NOTIS users, particularly, delete holdings from a check-in screen as they compress and re-input them on a holdings screen. Do you circulate any serials through your automated system? If so, what categories? * Nearly all libraries either do not circulate bound periodicals or circulate them for a very limited time. Several libraries circulate their serials --annuals, proceedings, etc.--just as they do books. One circulated periodicals older than 1981. One did not circulate serials in any category. Do you manage holdings of bound serial volumes or items in your system ? With barcodes, or without? Just those you circulate, or all volumes? * Most libraries manage to barcode all bound vols. of both serials and periodicals, although not all have done this retrospectively. Of those libraries that routinely barcoded all new materials, all had barcoded most of their serials retrospectively, though not all had done their periodicals. The library that did not circulate serials did not barcode them. Item records on most systems seem to be separate creatures from holdings or check-in records, and it seems that level of detail is also an issue there for a few libraries. Considering that some libraries union list, we are obviously inputting the same information multiple times! Which staff handle this maintenance: serials staff, staff at holding locations, other? There was a great variety of staff mentioned: serials, cataloging, binding, acquisitions, database management, or various levels of technical staff. At two libraries, external staff barcoded their own materials; at one, they also carried on retrospective barcoding projects. Some libraries commented on the thorough training their staff undergo, with detailed local documentation. Have you implemented the MARC Format for Holdings? If so, can you describe what levels of detail are used for serial holdings? DRA and NOTIS libraries have a MFH module. Innovative has a "modified MARC." Most try to use Level 4 (the most detailed level). Several commented on the enthusiastic staff reception for detailed holdings. The most common modification was to use detailed holdings (all gaps identified) except for an open holding for current receipts. Are there any problems or features of your system you would particularly like to comment on? Summary holdings are not adequate Staff training for detailed holdings is difficult but worth it Need more space in both check-in and item record on NOTIS One of the reasons for barcoding all materials was to PREVENT the circulation of materials that were *not* barcoded It is, in general, pretty difficult to decide who will do what! Thanks for all responses! ---------------------------------------------| Frieda Rosenberg friedat@email.unc.edu Serials Cataloging CB #3914 Davis Library University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3914 Tel. (919) 962-2050