This is in response to Mr. Kingsley's request for info on item
records for serials.  We have just recently started created item records
for new serial volumes as they are received and added to the holdings (VHLD)
in NOTIS.  We are only giving these records to serials (not bound or
unbound periodicals since they do not circulate) and we include all
locations even main reference collection (unless the reference volume is
received unbound).  Other unbound serials get item records, but the actual
label is on a 3x5 card which is filed while the item is out to the bindery
and then the label is affixed to the volume after it is returned from the
bindery.  We are not currently charging these out to the bindery, even
though the item record has already been created.  This creation is done in
the Serials "Dept. by the serials clerk who is responsible for checking in
serials.
        We are also creating item records for new serials as they are
cataloged, for government depository items that are serials, and for other
added volumes (replacments or backfiles as long as they are serials and not
periodicals).  This means that the serials catalogers and several other
support staff are creating item records.
        Currently, when items need to be linked (if they are un-linked or
re-linked) that work is done by staff in Shared Cataloging generally who
are doing lots of linking for monographs.  Departmental collections have
been barcoded as a special project by a roving team prior to coming up on
NOTIS circulation.

                        Jean Farrington
                        Head of Serials
                        Univ. of Pa.
                        farrington@a1.relay.upenn.edu
ai