2 messages, 97 lines:

(1)-----------------------------
Date:         Thu, 21 Sep 2000 13:07:39 -0400
From:         Steven Murden <stevemurden@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Re: Holdings list including electronic

In response to Tracey's query, how about a radical solution?  Stop doing a
separate print holdings list of periodicals.  You are _always_ going to
run into the problem of what to include.  Current only?  Ceased/cancelled
subscriptions? Microform?  And now, electronic?

Does your library maintain a separate print list of monographs?  How about
sound recordings?  Videos?  Why do we have this persistent urge to create
more work for ourselves?  Library users, especially in an academic
environment, need to learn how to use the online catalog to do research.
Unless your electronic titles are not included in your catalog (and why
wouldn't they be?), the answer to "Do you have journal title X?" is right
there, online.

Before the flames start, I understand that the situation might be very
different in public, school, and special libraries, and even in a
community college or small college library.  For a large university
library, the cost of creating, maintaining, and printing such a list seems
a poor use of limited resources.

Steve Murden
librarian without portfolio
(no caveats needed, because there's no institution to protect)

(2)---------------------------
Date:         Thu, 21 Sep 2000 13:13:05 -0500
From:         Kendall Vance <KVance@MAIL.WCC.CC.IL.US>
Subject:      Re: Holdings Lists: include electronic? (4 messages)

If possible, would anyone else who has implemented a holdings list on
their website please provide the URL, along with comments/suggestions you
might offer to anyone attempting the same? The few that have been posted
here to day have been helpful. I am considering ways to improve ours
<http://library.wcc.cc.il.us/web/holdings/
<http://library.wcc.cc.il.us/web/holdings/> > , both by streamlining the
interface, and by incorporating our electronic serials, but am
more-or-less stumped at the moment. Any assistance would be greatly
appreciated.

Thanks,

Kendall Vance
Periodicals Mgmt. Asst.
Waubonsee Community College-Todd Library
Route 47 at Harter Rd.
Sugar Grove, IL 60554
Ph# 630.466.7900 x2333
Fax# 630.466.7799
kvance@mail.wcc.cc.il.us <mailto:Kvance@mail.wcc.cc.il.us>

        -----Original Message-----
        From: Tracey DeLillo [mailto:tdelillo@FALCON.TAMUCC.EDU]
        Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 9:32 PM
        To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
        Subject: Holdings Lists: include electronic?

        I am in need of some input/advice regarding Holdings Lists for
periodicals.  I am in the process of revising our current Periodicals
Holdings List, and had decided to create 2 separate lists: one for print
and microfilm holdings (i.e. items housed IN the library), and one for
full-text electronic holdings.  Our old PHL had combined everything into
one massive list, which was nicely and expensively professionally printed,
and was largely obsolete within a month due to changes in databases and
other online availability.  The other problem I encounter daily with this
comprehensive list, is that patrons come to my office to complain that,
for example, "Private Placement Reporter" isn't on the shelves, because
they don't notice that it says "ELECTRONIC, LEXIS-NEXIS"  underneath
instead of "PERIODICAL SHELVES".  These are just two of my favorite
reasons for deciding to split the lists.  Some of my coworkers, however,
have concerns about my plan.  They feel that the patrons won't like having
to look 2 separate places to see where they can get an article.  They
think it will be time consuming and confusing.  They are afraid that
patrons will be misled regarding our holdings and will be disgruntled, not
to mention an expected increase in unnecessary I.L.L.  requests for
materials we really do have access to.

        I am now in a quandry.  How do other libraries format their PHL's?
Are electronic sources listed?  Are they combined with print, or listed
separately?  Are the PHL's available in hardcopy, or are they only online?

        Any input will be greatly appreciated.  Feel free to email me
directly, or post to the list if others think this is of broad interest.

        Thanks in advance,
        Tracey DeLillo
        Serials Librarian
        Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
        <tdelillo@FALCON.TAMUCC.EDU>