Summary of the ALCTS/Serials Section/Committee to Study Serials Cataloging
Meetings, June 25, 1995, and June 26, 1995.

June 25, 1996.
The Committee approved revisions to Guidelines for ALA/ALCTS/SS Committee to
Study Serials Cataloging Minutes of Meetings. These revisions corrected
minor errors and specified a more timely electronic distribution.  The
Committee also considered possible programs to sponsor at the 1996 LAMA/LITA
conference.  Next, Committee and audience members discussed the role and
functions of the Committee, identified as the following: to serve as a
channel to move proposals into the queue for possible rule changes; to
respond to questions; and to identify broad topics for general discussion,
with the prospect of identifying proposals for changes in rules and practice.

June 26, 1996.
The Committee heard reports from liaisons from LC/NSDP and CC:DA, and a
report concerning Serials Cataloging Institutes.  Then Crystal Graham read a
paper, "What's Wrong with AACR2: A Serials Perspective," previously
presented at the AACR2000 PreConference.  Graham identified structural,
philosophical, and practical difficulties in the use of AACR2 for cataloging
serial publications.  She explained that serials records serve as bridges to
related information, a function grown more essential with the appearance of
automated indexing and abstracting tools which require links to library
holdings.  What we need, she said, is a code that focuses on relationships
and distinguishing features of serials "families."  Committee and audience
members discussed Graham's paper and proposed topics for future meetings.
These  included  serials cataloging for computer files and other materials,
conference proceedings, mega-serials, management of serials cataloging,
second phase of format integration, use of serials cataloging information by
local systems, and the fundamental question of whether we need bibliographic
records if patrons require only article-level information.

Submitted by Carolynne Myall.

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