Closing the shelflist (2 messages) Birdie MacLennan 11 Sep 1996 02:57 UTC
2 messages, 90 lines: (1)------------------------- Date: Tue, 10 Sep 1996 09:31:30 -0800 From: Rose Welton <rosew@MUSKOX.ALASKA.EDU> Subject: Re: Closing shelflist I never mentioned being in a hurry in my original message. I simply wanted to plan this undertaking in the most logical and efficient manner. I'd rather not go back and have to fix things later. Thank you to all who took the time to respond in a helpful, unsarcastic manner. RW ************************************************************************** Rose Welton Phone: 907-465-2940 Alaska State Library Fax: 907-465-2990 Juneau, Alaska E-Mail: rosew@muskox.alaska.edu On Mon, 9 Sep 1996, Albert Henderson wrote: > Rose Welton rosew@muskox.alaska.edu asked > > [snip] > > > What about old, long-running serials--do > > you double-check the shelf to make sure of holdings before pitching > > cards? > > What's the hurry? Are the cards toxic? What will you do when the computer > scrambles your data and you find the backup tapes have oxidized? > > Albert Henderson, Editor, PUBLISHING RESEARCH QUARTERLY > 70244.1532@compuserve.com (2)----------------------- Date: Tue, 10 Sep 1996 14:36:48 -0700 From: Melissa Hartley <hartleym@CCMAIL.ORST.EDU> Subject: Re: Closing the shelflist Comments: To: Multiple recipients of list SERIALST <SERIALST@UVMVM.UVM.EDU>, Albert Henderson <70244.1532@COMPUSERVE.COM> I catalog serials in an academic library. We have not converted our serial records completely to our online catalog and serials check in module. However, even when this is eventually accomplished, I think it would be a very good idea to keep a paper shelf list as well. In the age of tapeloads, the existence of a shelf list card proves that a cataloger saw the publication and the library probably does indeed have the publication. In the eventuality that staff or computer deletes or mistakenly edits an online record, one has a shelf list to document what SHOULD be in the online catalog. Shelf list cards are also a very handy way to view the often complex relationships between serial records. The shelf list at our institution is a necessary and valuable tool. It is also inexpensive. Long live the shelf list! This discussion somehow also got onto the subject of Kardex files. Our Serials Acquisitions Div. has retained the Kardex files, and frequently refers to them, I am told. Melissa Hartley Catalog Division, Valley Library Oregon State University ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Closing the shelflist Author: Albert Henderson <70244.1532@COMPUSERVE.COM> at Internet_Gateway Date: 9/10/96 01:02 PM Louise Diodato <ldiodato@ACS.STRITCH.EDU> wrote: > Since you are a publisher and not working in a library with this > question, I find your answer sarcastic and uninformative. For the record I worked in the supply side of serials 1964-1977 mentored by Walter J. Johnson, Otto Rapp, and Dr. Edward Grey, and I came to appreciate the copious record keeping represented by shelflists on paper. The problems of instability and inadequacy associated with converting to the digital medium are not limited to serials management. We have all heard horror stories. A local fire department threw out its card records, for instance, after loading "driving route" directions onto a PC; lightening struck, of course, and they had to deal with a terrible uncertainty. Sorry if you took my expression as sarcasm. I hoped to save valuable work from the fire. Albert Henderson, Editor, PUBLISHING RESEARCH QUARTERLY 70244.1532@compuserve.com