I would like to echo Regina's comments. We have frequently lamented the "group it all under one title" method employed by some publishers, which is further compounded when the digital version does not include the cover (or only a thumbnail of the cover where the title information is too small to read) so that the title history can be accurately documented. I cite two real-life examples. When Taylor & Francis journals were available on the MetaPress platform, title changes were usually well-defined; each title had its own website and notes about the title change were prominently displayed. Taylor & Francis moved to its own platform, informaworld, earlier this year and the majority of title change distinctions were lost. My colleague, Cindy Hepfer, has written to this publisher to explain the situation and how it negatively impacts the library community. She is a great believer in capitalizing on these challenges by turning them into educational opportunities. According to information again gleaned by Cindy Hepfer, Ovid bases its title change breaks on the ISSN appearing on the cover, even if it is clear that the title has changed. We have tried to explain to Ovid that publishers sometimes erroneously perpetuate an ISSN for a previous title, but so far Ovid has not changed their stance. Publishers, aggregators, A&I services--titles do matter. That doesn't mean we can't deal with title changes, but the change needs to be clearly communicated both on the print and digital versions. Isn't linking out one of the great features of the web? Is it too much to ask for links to the previous and later titles; or pdfs of issue covers? I would think that using the digitized cover and table of contents would reduce errors in transcription. Librarians--document problems and complaints at your institution. Readers have power, we are told. Communicate these in a constructive way to publishers, aggregators, etc. One caveat, Cindy is out of the office this week, so I hope she will forgive me for using her name to appropriately giver her credit for her educational efforts. :-) Susan Susan Davis Head, Electronic Periodicals Management Department University at Buffalo (SUNY) 134 Lockwood Library Buffalo, NY 14260-2210 (716) 645-2784 (716) 645-5955 fax unlsdb@buffalo.edu ***Please consider the environment before printing this email**** --On Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:16 PM -0400 Regina Reynolds <rrey@LOC.GOV> wrote: > Ed, > > If I understood Dana correctly, this situation is not limited to > publishers printing ISSN of former titles. My understanding from > complaints I have received and read about is that publishers are more or > less ignoring the title changes their serials have had over the > years and only displaying the most current title in conjunction with a > list of previous volumes. Thus, someone tracking down a citation to an > article from 1985, for example, under a former title, is not sure what is > going on. Do they have the correct journal? Do they have the correct > volume and number? I believe that only when the title displayed by the > publisher matches the title on the citation (as well as the volume and > issue cited) will some of this confusion be eliminated, ISSN issues aside. > > I am acutely aware of the limitation of publisher education. However, this > situation is directly related to how publishers (and aggregators of > various sorts) group and display titles that they are selling access > to. It is unfortunate that some of the practices they use hinder rather > than support access. I assume that they think they are simplifying access > by grouping all volumes into one sequence, and to a certain extent they > are. However, the titles under which articles were published are crucial > for access and for matching citations. > > Regina > > Regina R. Reynolds email: rrey@loc.gov > Head, National Serials Data Program voice: (202) 707-6379 > Library of Congress fax (202) 707-6333 > 101 Independence Avenue, S.E. ISSN Web page: > lcweb.loc.gov/issn/ > Washington, D.C. 20540-4160 > > > > > On Tue, 4 Sep 2007, Ed Jones wrote: > >> One possible workaround would be something similar to OCLC's xISBN >> service (which searches for a given book in a given catalog under all >> the ISBNs under which it is known to have appeared. Something similar >> for ISSNs--to be used in conjunction with open URL resolvers--might help >> minimize the number of "false negatives". The main draw3back is that it >> requires an organization to host the service and identify the related >> ISSNs (though the latter could presumably be done by machine operating >> off the ISSN database). >> >> My problem with the educate-the-publishers approach is that it requires >> near-universal voluntary cooperation by publishers, both large and >> small, which seems to me an overly ambitious and ever-receding goal. >> >> Ed Jones >> National University (San Diego) >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum >> [mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Rentz, Paivi H >> Sent: Friday, August 24, 2007 4:34 PM >> To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU >> Subject: Re: [SERIALST] Electronic Serials - Title change >> >> I have always liked the way Elsevier lists and links to the former and >> subsequent titles >> >> American Journal of Orthodontics >> Copyright (c) 2007 The American Association of Orthodontists. All rights >> reserved >> Shortcut URL to this page: >> http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00029416 >> <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00029416> >> >> Formerly known as American Journal of Orthodontics and Oral Surgery >> <https://synergy.txstate.edu/science/journal/00966347> ; >> Continued as American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial >> Orthopedics <https://synergy.txstate.edu/science/journal/08895406> >> >> Paivi Rentz >> Electronic Resource Librarian >> Texas State University - San Marcos >> >> ________________________________ >> >> From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum on behalf of >> Regina Reynolds >> Sent: Fri 8/24/2007 3:43 PM >> To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU >> Subject: Re: [SERIALST] Electronic Serials - Title change >> >> >> >> Dana, >> Can you provide examples of publishers that you feel are following a >> style >> that could be recommended to other publishers? >> >> An interesting model that might be considered is Project Transfer, a >> project that "invites publishers to sign up to a Code of >> Practice which aims to improve the procedures and policies surrounding >> the >> transfer of journals between publishers. The Code has been drafted with >> extensive help from many of the major international publishing houses >> and >> has already been applauded as an excellent step forward by the >> contributing library community." >> >> Development of a "Code of Practice" seems a more formal and stringent >> approach than a set of "best practices" and might not be warranted in >> this >> case. However, it is a demonstration of publishers and librarians >> working >> together for improved access and understanding. >> >> The project's website is: >> http://www.projecttransfer.org/ >> >> Regina >> >> >> On Fri, 24 Aug 2007, Dana Thomas wrote: >> >>> Yes please! A best practices or standard for this would be most >> welcome. >>> I for one like the style that several publishers are following -- >>> separating the content for former and current titiles, and providing >>> links between them. >>> >>> >>> Dana Thomas >>> Digital Support Librarian >>> Ryerson University >>> >>> Phone: 416.979.5000 Ext. #4982 >>> Email: d1thomas@ryerson.ca >>> >>>>>> rrey@LOC.GOV 24/08/2007 7:14:46 am >>> >>> Staff and myself at the National Serials Data Program (the U.S. ISSN >>> center) are trying to educate publishers and those providers we work >>> with about the problem of access to former titles. It's something of >>> an >>> uphill battle, I agree. Pointing out that separate ISSN have been >>> assigned (or will be assigned) to the former titles, and citations to >>> articles published under the former titles are under the former titles >>> has >>> helped some publishers understand the problem and list former titles >>> and >>> ISSN separately. Just this week we have been communicating about this >>> problem to a major society publisher. >>> >>> I could envision an ALA committee developing a "best practices" >>> document >>> to disseminate to publishers and other providers. Perhaps there are >>> other >>> mechanisms that could be used to demonstrate in a unified and >>> consistent >>> manner how libraries would like former titles to be handled. >>> >>> Regina Reynolds >>> Head, National Serials Data Program >>> >>> On Thu, 23 Aug 2007, Cynthia Koman wrote: >>> >>>> Please excuse cross-postings. >>>> >>>> *----------------------------------------------------------- >>>> >>>> Hello, >>>> >>>> I am wondering if anyone else is has noticed that the electronic >>> version of title changes are not listed separately on publisher's >>> websites? I have noticed on several publisher's websites (Blackwell, >>> Springer, etc.) that title changes show up under the most recent title >>> of that serial, so that the previous title is buried and is not listed >>> separately. Does anyone know why the titles are being clumped >> together >>> and not being listed separately? This is becoming an increasing issue >>> because as we link to our e-journal collection from our e-journal >> list. >>> >>>> >>>> If you have noticed this - how are you handling it? >>>> >>>> Any information anyone can provide would be helpful. >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> Cindy >>>> >>>> Cynthia L. Koman >>>> Serials Librarian >>>> Schaffer Library of Health Sciences >>>> Albany Medical College >>>> email: komanc@mail.amc.edu >>>> phone: 518-262-6058 >>>> >>>> >>>> ----------------------------------------- >>>> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments may contain >>>> confidential information that is protected by law and is for the >>>> sole use of the individuals or entities to which it is addressed. >>>> If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by >>>> replying to this email and destroying all copies of the >>>> communication and attachments. Further use, disclosure, copying, >>>> distribution of, or reliance upon the contents of this email and >>>> attachments is strictly prohibited. To contact Albany Medical >>>> Center, or for a copy of our privacy practices, please visit us on >>>> the Internet at www.amc.edu. >>>> >>> >>> Regina R. Reynolds email: rrey@loc.gov >>> Head, National Serials Data Program voice: (202) 707-6379 >>> Library of Congress fax (202) 707-6333 >>> 101 Independence Avenue, S.E. ISSN Web page: >>> lcweb.loc.gov/issn/ >>> Washington, D.C. 20540-4160 >>> >> >> Regina R. Reynolds email: rrey@loc.gov >> Head, National Serials Data Program voice: (202) 707-6379 >> Library of Congress fax (202) 707-6333 >> 101 Independence Avenue, S.E. ISSN Web page: >> lcweb.loc.gov/issn/ >> Washington, D.C. 20540-4160 >> > > Regina R. Reynolds email: rrey@loc.gov > Head, National Serials Data Program voice: (202) 707-6379 > Library of Congress fax (202) 707-6333 > 101 Independence Avenue, S.E. ISSN Web page: > lcweb.loc.gov/issn/ Washington, D.C. 20540-4160 > >
