A hearty "thank you" to everyone who responded to my questions about serial
holdings, barcoding, and circulation.

I heard from eleven libraries: six NOTIS, 1 GEAC, 1 Innovative Interfaces,
and 1 Aleph (an Israeli system); 1 DRA.  I also heard from one person who
did not identify her system.

Do you have an integrated system?  If not, do you have a separate
check-in system?  Does your system include a binding module?

*Nearly all libraries all said they did not yet have a binding module or
had a non-functional binding module (Aleph and Innovative do have one),
and five said they either used a separate check-in system from their
integrated system or relied on an order/payment record to check in.  Those
who did check in commented on lack of space, lack of a way to update
holdings from check-in; NOTIS users, particularly, delete holdings from a
check-in screen as they compress and re-input them on a holdings screen.

Do you circulate any serials through your automated system? If so, what
categories?

* Nearly all libraries either do not circulate bound periodicals or
circulate them for a very limited time.  Several libraries circulate
their serials --annuals, proceedings, etc.--just as they do books.  One
circulated periodicals older than 1981.  One did not circulate serials in
any category.

Do you manage holdings of bound serial volumes or items in your system ?
With barcodes, or without?  Just those you circulate, or all volumes?

* Most libraries manage to barcode all bound vols. of both serials and
periodicals, although not all have done this retrospectively.  Of those
libraries that routinely barcoded all new materials, all had barcoded most
of their serials retrospectively, though not all had done their
periodicals.  The library that did not circulate serials did not barcode
them.  Item records on most systems seem to be separate creatures from
holdings or check-in records, and it seems that level of detail is also an
issue there for a few libraries.  Considering that some libraries
union list, we are obviously inputting the same information multiple
times!

Which staff handle this maintenance: serials staff, staff at holding
locations, other?

There was a great variety of staff mentioned: serials, cataloging,
binding, acquisitions, database management, or various levels of
technical staff.  At two libraries, external staff barcoded their own
materials; at one, they also carried on retrospective barcoding projects.
Some libraries commented on the thorough training their staff undergo,
with detailed local documentation.

Have you implemented the MARC Format for Holdings? If so, can you describe
what levels of detail are used for serial holdings?

DRA and NOTIS libraries have a MFH module.  Innovative has a "modified MARC."
Most try to use Level 4 (the most detailed level).  Several commented on
the enthusiastic staff reception for detailed holdings.  The most common
modification was to use detailed holdings (all gaps identified) except
for an open holding for current receipts.

Are there any problems or features of your system you would particularly
like to comment on?
Summary holdings are not adequate
Staff training for detailed holdings is difficult but worth it
Need more space in both check-in and item record on NOTIS
One of the reasons for barcoding all materials was to PREVENT the
circulation of materials that were *not* barcoded
It is, in general, pretty difficult to decide who will do what!

Thanks for all responses!
 ---------------------------------------------|
Frieda Rosenberg  friedat@email.unc.edu
Serials Cataloging
CB #3914 Davis Library
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC  27599-3914
Tel. (919) 962-2050