Allison wrote:
The issue isn't just "will you use students to checkin serials" - the
issue is "WHICH students will you let checkin serials?" If you get the
right one, it can be a fabulous help. Get the wrong one and you'll spend
a lot of time going in behind them making corrections. You have to
decide if it's worth the time in training and supervision.

I agree 100% with Allison's statement.  We also have fewer students
since we receive fewer print subscriptions but students still do the
bulk of our check-in (as well as mail opening and shelving).  Some
students can only handle the 'basic' check-in (matching the exact issue
to the 'expected issue') while others (particularly those who have been
with us for a few years) are really good at handling the more difficult
check-in (those issues requiring enumeration or chronology editing, or
overall pattern assessment).   After training a student it's pretty
clear what his/her capabilities are and what his/her capacity is.  I had
a student for 5 years who oversaw check-in, did our union listing (for
us as well as 5 regional campuses) and also verified electronic access
for titles converted to 'online' and then added 856s into our bib.
records (pre-SerialsSolutions MARC records).  She was terrific!  And
then we've had others ....  but we were able to use them for mail
opening, shelving, etc.

Lynn K. Cote
Serials Cataloger
Collections Services, U-2005
University of Connecticut
Homer Babbidge Library
369 Fairfield Rd.
Storrs, CT  06269-2005
ph. (860)486-6495
fax (860)486-6493
************************************
Please report problems with access to electronic resources to
elibrary@uconn.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Mays, Allison
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 2:09 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [SERIALST] [SERIALIST]: Students and Checkin

We used to have students check in serials, but this was because we had a
long-time staffer in serials who basically could not see and had other
health problems. The students had to do the checkin. And we had one
student who was particularly good at it - and has since become a
librarian.

Now I have a serials assistant who is very particular and would just
rather do it himself. I agree, because he does a fabulous job. But it's
also due to workflow: we need labels because we shelve in call number
order, and it's a little complicated in Sirsi. We just don't want
students doing it. Also, it's less of an issue because we have cancelled
a lot of print titles and it just doesn't take as long.

If my serials assistant needs help, we take other duties off of him,
like shelving.

The issue isn't just "will you use students to checkin serials" - the
issue is "WHICH students will you let checkin serials?" If you get the
right one, it can be a fabulous help. Get the wrong one and you'll spend
a lot of time going in behind them making corrections. You have to
decide if it's worth the time in training and supervision.

Allison P. Mays
Coordinator of Acquisitions & Cataloging
Millsaps College
1701 N. State Street
Jackson, MS 39210
601-974-1083
maysap@millsaps.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Laurel Cochrane
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 6:52 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] [SERIALIST]: Students and Checkin

Dear Serialist:

If you have a minute to reply to me off-list, I'd appreciate learning
how many folks (if any...) utilize students to perform basic checkin
functions within their library's online system? If yes--do students only
checkin certain categories? Or everything?

Thanks in advance for your time.
Sincerely,
Laurel

Laurel P. Cochrane
Associate Librarian
Notre Dame Law School
Kresge Library Room 230
Notre Dame, IN 46556-0535

574-631-0983 (voice)
574-631-6371 (fax)