At the University of Houston, we process and box
materials daily for the monthly bindery shipment.  We
number the boxes and write the box number on our copy of
the binding slip; the boxes are not sealed until the
monthly pick-up.  Each morning a student inputs brief
records (title/volume/box number) for the previous day's
work into a simple database and produces a daily,
cumulative "In Binding" list.  We keep the master copy
(i.e., with the box numbers) of the list in Serials:
copies without the box numbers are made available in the
Current Journals Room (removing the numbers from the
public copies helps prevent people from trying to
retrieve items on their own).

Current Journals staff have access at all times to our
work areas, but only the supervisors on duty are
authorized to retrieve the processed volumes (we allow
materials to be retrieved for a user right up until the
driver picks up the boxes).  The supervisor checks the
master list, locates and signs out the volume, and is
responsible for seeing that the volume is returned.  This
method works well for us:  materials are kept accessible
for as long as possible, Current Journals staff can
respond positively to patron requests, and Binding staff
can ensure a steady workflow.

We currently maintain a card file with historical
information because our binding operations are not yet
automated:  once we bring up III, I expect we'll move
away from the paper files as soon as we can.  It usually
takes 2-4 days from the time we unbox the shipment until
the serials appear on the shelves, depending on the size
of the shipment, staffing levels, etc.

*******************************************************

Lawrence Keating         Internet:  LIB1D@JETSON.UH.EDU
Head, Serials Department            Phone: 713-743-9678
University of Houston Libraries       FAX: 713-743-9811
Houston, TX 77204-2091