We started adding the electronic holdings to our print records about 2000.  4-5 of us worked on them.  For the next 7 years we tried to keep up (impossible) and finally purchased SFX MarcIt records.  While we still struggle, we know the public is getting better linking than we could provide.  Keeping up with the link changes was impossible even with all of us working at it.

 

We have migrated the majority of our titles to electronic only (canceled print) over the last 4 years.  We attach the purchase order to our print record/electronic holdings and suppress the electronic holding.  We had 3500 purchased electronic journals last year and the numbers have doubled this year.  Part of that was some database cleanup.

 

It really sounds to me, like you have justification to ask for copy cataloger help in serials or propose the purchase of a link resolver like SFX to do the work.

We load SFX files once a month, adding and deleting.  We no longer have to keep up the urls, tho we do just for checking later when we have access problems.  But it is really nice when some publisher changes platforms or gets bought out and several hundred titles change urls overnight.

 

Good luck and let me know if you have more questions.

 

 

 

>>> "Griffin, Glenda" <GIG002@SHSU.EDU> 8/17/2009 1:07 PM >>>
I'm interested to know if you catalog your electronic serials and how many that involves?  Its seems that is what is drowning me.  We have large collections of electronic serials that do not have records in the catalog and we get more all the time.  We use the single record approach - so I have to de-dup title lists to see if we already own it in print or already have another electronic record for it.  Then I search for the records, import them, and create unique URLs for each record to our A-Z list.  These batches are sometimes 1000-1300 records large and sometimes a collection contains several batches (JSTOR).  De-dupping, finding records and then touching each one for the unique URL is killing me.  Granted, we do sometimes get batches of MARC records from a vendor, but not always.  When I find a vendor who has lumped all title changes under one heading (!!#$%&&@$), it really slows the process down even more. I also do all database maintenance for serials - which is a one person job all by itself - and all original serials cataloging. 

Enthusiasm breathes life into the ordinary and transforms it.
                                                     ----Unknown


Glenda Griffin


-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Mary E Massey
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 12:11 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [SERIALST] Department size

Glenda,

Our Serials cataloging staff consist of one cataloger, me, with  one serials technician (check-ins and claims) and one continuations technician (check-ins and claims). After four years here, I have gone through a backlog of problems and rearranged routines, so that my 2 LTA's handle the basic routines and I handle the problems that are beyond routine or need more strong statements to vendors and publishers. That leaves me with some time to catalog a backlog of serials that were donated many years ago from a special aeronautical corporation. I am about half finished with that project, as it involves primarily original cataloging. I also handle all the new serial titles and title changes. We also maintain a print Periodicals Holdings List for our patrons and staff that is upgraded twice a year (time consuming but very helpful). Feel free to query further if you need information.

Tinker Massey
Serials Librarian
Hunt Library
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386-226-6607
Fax:386-323-8959
Masse36e@erau.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Griffin, Glenda
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 10:22 AM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Department size

Greetings colleagues,
I am interested in finding out the number of librarians and staff for serials cataloging other libraries have who are similar in size to ours.  I'm interested in academic libraries that serve student populations of approximately 15,000-18,000.  Our library has acquisition staff that order, check-in, and conduct shelf maintenance for our serials.  Cataloging staff for serials consists of one person - me.  I would like to know if other libraries our size have more than one cataloging staff for serials.  I would appreciate any feedback.  Thanks so much!

 
Glenda Griffin
Serials Catalog Librarian
Newton Gresham Library
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas 77341-2281
Phone: 936-294-3589
Fax: 936-294-3282
gig002@shsu.edu