---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 15:33:37 -0400
From: Mary Page <mspage@RCI.RUTGERS.EDU>
Subject: serials control to kardex

Achieving efficiencies in serials processing isn't the reason to
automate.  There is no evidence -- in our profession or any other --
that investing in information technology yields any increase in
efficiency or productivity.  The "productivity paradox" has been written
about extensively in the business literature.  Some studies show that
productivity has decreased overall in the US since the 1970's; other
studies show that IT invesments have increased manufacturing outputs
slightly, but that output in the information/service sectors have
actually dropped.

There are still very good reasons to automate serials operations, most
of which Rachel mentioned in her original post about this topic.  In
multi-library settings, all libraries have access to information that
formerly was accessible only on-site or via a phone consultation.
Patrons have better information about what issues have arrived.  And,
it's easier to share information about holdings with other libraries in
consortia.

My point is:  the primary reason to automate serials operations is to
provide more precise information about serials holdings to patrons, and,
if applicable, to staff at other sites. With that said, efficiencies CAN
be achieved by disecting your workflows (which in many cases, automation
forces you to do).  But, it's doubtful that automation alone will
increase productivity.

Just another 2 cents...
Mary Page
Rutgers

 ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2000 15:49:12 PST
> From: 5704P@VM1.CC.NPS.NAVY.MIL
> Subject: serials module to kardex
>
> Has any library considered, investigated or actually migrated from the
> serials module to kardex?  there are murmuring here about
investigating
> just
> such a move.  while the serials module makes claiming easier (once the
> reports are properly written), handy information is available to
patrons
> in
> the form of the "latest issues note/599 field" and for sites using the
> feature, additions in the form of item records and holdings
information
> can
> be really easy, the amount of time it takes to manage the system is
> viewed
> as unbearable by some of the managers here.  also maintenance of the
> records
> and check-in is about twice as time consuming and we simply do not
have
> the
> staff available to maintain and manage the module.  it seems that we
do
> have
> the staff to manage and maintain a kardex.  i'm not sure if the
> management
> wants to make the staff fit the services or the services fit the
staff.
> what i know is that a strong voice is advocating going back to the
> kardex
> and the director has lately asked me some pointed questions about what
> the
> module really does for the library.  i'd like to know if we are the
> first to
> consider such a move.
>
> cheers,
>
> Rachel Hollis, Serials Librarian   _/    _/   _/_/_/    _/_/_/
> Naval Postgraduate School         _/_/  _/   _/   _/  _/_/
> Monterey California              _/  _/_/   _/_/_/       _/
> 5704p@vm1.cc.nps.navy.mil       _/    _/   _/       _/_/_/
>
> http://web.nps.navy.mil/%7erahollis

--
Mary Page
New Brunswick Libraries
Rutgers University
mspage@rci.rutgers.edu