Hi John -

I think, technically, what you are interested in is the Kardex (brand
name) "Visible Record System."  If you do a Google search on "kardex"
there will be useful information.

We were able to abandon our kardex about 14 years ago, when we adopted
the Innovative Interfaces computer system.  I still have most of the
cards hidden away, though.  When I retire in a few months they're all
going out, and no one will miss them

Ann Lucas
Serials Librarian
Cooley Law School
Lansing, MI

>>> jlucas@ROWLAND.UMSMED.EDU 11/5/04 11:30:22 AM >>>
Hello Fellow Serialists:

Next year, our library will be hosting 3 librarians from Iraq, with the
purpose helping them get an idea of what is available to them with the
amount of connectivity they hope to have in the near future. As they are
starting from scratch, one of my immediate problems is to get them started
on a minimal, manual check in system for what journals they do have and
will be getting to start them off.  An ILS appears to be a few years away.

I am referring to the 'visible card' or Cardex system as most know
it.  I have worked in larger medical school libraries throughout my
career and have really no experience with this formalized system. Even
this would give them a sense of forward progress.

In my P.F. (pre-fire) career, we used a very primitive index card system,
but I have had to dump those experiences due to insufficient RAM and my
current memory is none to reliable.

Now I know it is not 'rocket science' but I have some questions on
how some basic titles might be handled and how others might do it
differently. (ie.) Do you use check marks or write in the issue
numbers?

What are the 'colored signals' used for, Claims and if so how?  What
parts of the card do you use, and what you ignore? And things like
that.

There still must be libraries, using this, or the library suppliers
would not have these products. I am looking for some libraries who are
willing to share their experience, and maybe their check in procedure
pages. (Gaylord, Demco and the others do not have instruction sheets,
so
I guess that everyone should know how to use it to its fullest)

Also I thought at one time there were some small, stand alone serials
modules out there.  I have been unable to find them to date.  The small
"periodical manager" programs the library suppliers have seem to be
nothing more than an accession list. Even these might be currently beyond
their capability at the present but would be another interim step towards
an ILS system.

Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

John Lucas

Serials Librarian
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 North State St
Jackson, MS 39216-4505

(PH) (601) 984-1277
(FAX)  ( 601) 984-1262
JLUCAS@ROWLAND.UMSMED.EDU