I agree with Buddy that it is critical to survey the users.  So many
times library decisions are
made without adequate input from them.

But I also have to add that if I surveyed user preference at my library
on LC or title arrangement,
no one would care.  90% of all our journal usage is electronic.    Is
this because I'm at a medical library
or do other libraries have a similar ratio?

Maybe another factor to consider before reclassification would be the
future of print journals in your
library.

Cindy Swope
Himmelfarb Health Science Library
George Washington University
Washington, DC 20037
mlbcds@gwumc.edu

>>> bmaclenn@UVM.EDU 7/6/2006 1:32 PM >>>
Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2006 13:22:59 -0400
From: "Rouillard, Marilee" <mrouilla@keene.edu>
Subject: RE: [SERIALST] Your comments appreciated,
     or to class or not to class periodical collection

I did do a survey before we switched to the classification system.
The
results were exactly even, until someone came in with a survey as I
finished counting them and asked if I could accept it.  I did so it
tipped the survey.  I also surveyed the staff and the literature.
Opinion was very evenly divided.  I now have the periodicals in LC
order
with a large browsing room where the current periodicals are displayed
in alcoves.  Each alcove has a table and 4 chairs.
It was the right call here.

    Marilee Rouillard <mrouilla@keene.edu>

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Pennington, Buddy D.
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2006 10:41 AM
Subject: Re: [SERIALST] Your comments appreciated, or to class or not
to
class periodical collection

Good points toward not classifying.  I remember my student days when I
would do my research to get my citations and then spend a bunch of
time
getting the call numbers for the journals since my library classified
things.  It would have been easier if I could simply find them by
title.

Integration also spreads things out (all of our separate periodicals
are
on one floor but if we integrated them into the classified monographs
they would be on three floors).  That means more time wandering around
for users and serials staff.

We all have our opinions on this. I was just wondering if anyone has
surveyed users on the organization of a library's physical periodicals
to get a sense of whether they prefer them to be classified or shelved
by title. It seems to me that libraries don't do enough to understand
what users want and prefer.  Too often we think we know what's best
for
them. If you're going to spend the time and effort on a project like
that you should be sure it is something the users want to see changed.

Buddy Pennington
Serial Acquisitions Librarian
University of Missouri - Kansas City
University Libraries
www.umkc.edu/lib