Approaches,Techniques, and Criteria for Serials Evaluation in the Electronic Environment

Abstract

An overview of traditional methods of evaluating serials collections and serial titles is presented and applied to electronic resources. Traditional methods such as holdings, checklist, conspectus, availability studies, document delivery studies, citation studies and use studies used for the evaluation of serials collections in print can be modified for the evaluation of electronic serials collections. Issues, problems and challenges associated with electronic serials evaluation are then outlined, and conclusions that emphasize the continuing importance of serials evaluation in the electronic environment are drawn.     

Serials Control with Microcomputers in the Law Library

Microcomputers provide smaller and specialized libraries with attractive, affordable alternatives to mainframe-based systems. By combining state-of-the-art hardware with software packages for libray tasks like serials control, law librarians can solve many problems assoclated with the large volume of serials (70 to 90% of annual acquisitions) that they typically receive. But not all serials control systems are equally sophisticated in their storage or recessing capabilities. This article discusses the major requirements of adequate control of legal serials and analyzes some commercially available systems in light of those requirements.     

探究市场变化中大型图书馆期刊采访对策的优化

期刊出版发行市场的变化给期刊采访工作带来困难,通过对期刊发行机构的特点分析和大型图书馆采访过程中各种难点的归纳,提出针对性的措施,以优化期刊采访对策。     

俄文连续出版物编目工作的探索与实践——以黑龙江大学图书馆为例

俄文连续出版物联机编目规则在我国尚没有统一的标准,只有少数图书馆按照自定规则实现了俄文连续出版物的计算机管理。黑龙江大学图书馆在俄文图书联机编目实践成功后,又对俄文连续出版物联机编目工作进行了探索。针对著录内容的简化以及编号项和附注项、受控检索点、统一题名的著录等方面出现的普遍问题以及特殊出版物、连续出版物的出版变化和分类等方面的特殊问题,图书馆应统一俄文连续出版物数据库建设标准,进行俄文连续出版物编目工作的培训,指定专人定期维护已建成的数据库并做好编目人员队伍梯队建设。     

Off-Site Storage from a Cataloging Point of View

This article focuses on the challenges faced by the serials cataloging staff at Texas A&M University Libraries following a decision to move materials to an off-site storage facility. The process of cataloging review developed by serials cataloging staff to address these challenges is described in detail. More specifically, the process that deals with the preparation of the collections for off-site storage, with emphasis on the unique problems created by serials that have been cataloged under pre–Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition (AACR2) rules is described.     

The Deactivation of OCLC's Serials Control System

This paper uses the literature to trace the history of OCLC's online Serials Control System (SCS), and it describes OCLC's plan to replace SCS with a stand-alone control system, SC350. Fifteen years of reports about SCS portray a system that never met all the needs of serials lbrarians. Reactions to replacement of SCS by SC350 emphasize the problems a library encounters when it changes from one serials control system to another. When considering such a change, a library should take the opportunity to re-examine its serials control needs and plan accordingly.     

Eeee!-Serials

Summary

Two serials catalogers, Jennifer Edwards of MIT and Amanda Xu, formerly of MIT, presented their experiences working with electronic serials. Edwards discussed concrete experiences and issues such as MIT's pilot project for cataloging e-serials, current policies and work-flow, and problems of catalog maintenance. Xu presented a broader perspective on what is happening beyond MIT and how e-serials may develop in the near future. Her topics included definitions of electronic serials, access features provided by publishers, aggregators and libraries, and challenges presented by e-serials.     

连续出版物与相近文献辨析之我见

各类连续出版物界线不清,在图书馆工作实践中易造成混乱,并影响读者利用文献。文章试图对各类连续出版物的特性加以辨析,以便在业务工作中碰到类似问题能够快速、准确、一致地作出判断。     

Acquisitions and exchange a report from the IFLA Conference,Sydney, 1988

The Section on Acquisition and Exchange of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions was set up to provide a forum for librarians interested in the theory and practice of acquisition of library materials by purchase, gift and exchange. The Standing Committee of 12 librarians from several countries has inaugurated several studies in this area, and organizes open sessions at IFLA Conferences. Three relevant papers were presented at the 1988 IFLA Conference held in Sydney, Australia. Dr Leonhard gave details of conspectus in various countries, designed to overcome the problems of an increasing volume of publications coming at a time of decreasing real purchasing power. Mr Montag highlighted the problems caused by price differentials, particularly in the case of serials. Pergamon Press is reported to have surcharges up to 1590% for libraries in the case of its serials, whilst the Hogarth Press serials are up to 100% higher in Europe than in the USA. The Section is to survey this phenomenon worldwide, and report at the 1989 IFLA Conference in Paris. Miss Walters gave details of the work of ACPAD, which shipped some 3,000 cartons of library materials to universities in five developing countries in 1986/1987. Most of these come from Australian libraries weeding monographs, or converting hardcopy serials to microform.     

COPING WITH LATIN AMERICAN SERIALS

This article discusses problems related to bibliographic control and acquisition of Latin American serials, and some recent political and economic developments which have seriously hampered the regular flow of Latin American publications. The absence of commercial serials agents precludes centralized ordering; methods of payment followed by foreign institutions are also discussed.     

MICROFORM SERIALS COLLECTIONS

Before committing an institution to the purchase of microform serials it is important to approach the problem from a systems point of view. (a) Density of projected or actual use of specific titles should be determined and evaluated relative to the entire serials collection. (b) This will enable the serials librarian to decide whether unitized (microfiche and microcard) or linear (microfilm) storage is preferable. (c) Having made this basic decision, the selection of the best quality microforms should be made, relying on an understanding of micropublishing processes used by specific producers. (d) The hardware problem can then be addressed after these preliminary questions have been answered. (e) Finally, the interrelated problems of bibliographic accessing/cataloging/ storage are confronted. Each institution must do its own systems analysis: on the adequacy of this analysis hinges the adequacy of its information system.     

Decision Making in the Recataloging of Serials

Catalogers make decisions constantly, especially when recataloging serials. This article explores the decisions that need to be made when recataloging serials, within the framework of a decision-making model used in business. For catalogers, this model consists of becoming aware that a recataloging problem exists, defining what the problem is, analyzing the alternatives for handling it, selecting the best solution based on the library's goals and resources, implementing it, and obtaining feedback. Then the cycle begins again wilh new problems.     

The Serials Librarian and the Reference Department:

Reference librarians are persons who deal with users directly, providing services which cover a wide range of subjects and formals. Sometimes these librarians have subject expertise or are strong in certain areas. Serials librarians are also providing services to users but the nature of their contribution is sometimes overlooked, often misunderstood. The serials librarian can provide a useful link to the world of periodicals, journals, directories and other reference sources because he or she is familiar with the types of materials available, the treatment of serials, and the problems which are posed by this format's complexity. This paper presents the role of the serials librarian not only as a technical services professional, but also as a valuable associate to reference and public services. The main purpose of this discussion is to describe ways in which both reference and serials librarians can work together toward the ultimate goal of providing quality patron service.     

A COURSE IN SERIALS LIBRARIANSHIP AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

This article briefly describes the experience of a concentrated serials course at the Columbia University School of Library Service in the summer of 1977. The course covered current issues in the acquisition, organization, preservation, storage, and servicing of serials collections, including problems of proliferation of serial titles, rising costs, and budgetary restraints in libraries.     

Risky Business: Outsourcing Serials Cataloging

In 1999, the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh began a project to outsource cataloging for both the monographs and serials that were included in a special collection known at the university as the Glidden Collection. The collection had previously been accessible only through the existence of a card catalog. The materials had originally been cataloged using a local hybrid classification system based on the Glidden classification system. In her presentation, Faye Leibowitz provides detailed information about the history of the collection and why certain factors associated with the collection made it a difficult candidate for outsourcing. Libraries should seriously consider the hidden costs of outsourcing serials cataloging. The decision to outsource serials cataloging should take into account staffing problems and training. The way in which catalogers at the selected vendor use “cataloger's judgment” can also impact consistency between existing library policy and the outsourced records.     

Is This a Serial?

Serials represent a growing proportion of published literature and budget allocations. Since serials frequently contain the most current information and latest reports of research activity, they both generate many reference questions and supply the answers. Due to the continuing and changing nature of serials, their records are more difficult to interpret than are monograph records. The philosophy underlying the creation of serial records, the variations in serial cataloging rules, and the effects of automation partially explain what appears in our catalogs. A review of the essential elements in serial bibliographic records accents the unique characteristics of serials and the problems encountered in trying to create records that are consistent and intelligible.     

Serials Organization

A revolution in serials work has occurred during the last decade as libraries have moved from manual operations to the age of automation. For economic and technological reasons, a renewed interest in the organization of serials activities has developed, and there is debate between those who favor continuing the separate serials department (organization by form) and those who favor merging serials activities into other departments (organization by function). In this study, the views of each school of thought are considered. The conclusion is reached that serials specialists must organize, anticipate and plan for further organizational changes.