The posters to this discussion who wrote paeans to the efficiency
of automated checkin as opposed to manual must work in libraries
only receiving consistently regular, easily predictable serial titles.

When we initially migrated to our present powerful and
sophisticated ILS from a standalone serials system and a Kardex,
the serials staff were gung-ho to get every title set up for online
checkin. I hemmed and hawed, reluctant to jump into the
beckoning waters.  At the staff's request, we switched some titles
back to manual checkin, because prediction was so difficult.

Now we have about 7,000 titles set up and checkin does go pretty
quickly.  However, title changes, irregular series, and the resultant
setup work consume much more time than when we just changed
the title on a card and made brief notes.

Please don't get me wrong--I celebrate the benefits of an integrated
serials system.  It is gratifying to be able to provide a remote user
with up-to-the-minute serials information.  Or print an on-demand,
customized list of current serial titles.  I just would caution that
automation requires beaucoup more staff time devoted to data input
and manipulation.
Diane M. Lewis
Serial Records Librarian
U.S. Geological Survey Library
National Center--MS 950
Reston, Virginia  20192
phone: (703)648-4399 fax:   (703)648-6376
"Intelligence, not perhaps at its highest level, but far
beyond the sheer emotionalism of TV, has found its
refuge in the newspapers."--Robertson Davies