---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2000 07:29:41 -0500
From: Chris Blackman <Christine.W.Blackman@williams.edu>
Subject: Serialist Question

I'm conducting an informal survey partly in response to the PCC task
force survey posted earlier this week. I'm specifically addressing this
to mid-size academic libraries, as I want to find out whether our
library is in the minority by using the multiple record method.

My bias is that the multiple record method is almost always better
cataloging practice and easier to understand. In the interest of
consistency we've applied this across the board (other than with our
gov. docs. collections) to the exclusion of using single record method
in any instance.

So, I'm curious to know how many libraries are using the single record
method, multiple record method, or a combination of both. Do you feel
that your choice has been effective in your library -- provided more or
less confusion for the public, more or less work (has the work been
worthwhile).

As an aside, for those who also have gov. docs. collections -- do you
subscribe to a tape service (MARCIVE, OCLC) and accept GPO records as
is? If not, how much do you tweak the records at export from your
bibliographic service?

I'd appreciate any response be it very short (yes, yes, no) to a more
involved explanation. Reply off list and I'll post a summary if folks
are interested. Thanks in advance.

Chris Blackman
Catalog Librarian
Williams College Libraries
Williamstown, MA  01267
(413) 597-4403
cblackma@williams.edu