SERIALST Survey Summary : Part 2 of 3 Questions 8-10: Comments re. likes, dislikes, suggestions for improvement 8. What do you like best about SERIALST? no answer (28) (10.7%) Keywords for Broadly Grouped Categories of Comments: GENERAL COMMENTS, CURRENCY/CURRENT AWARENESS, CONTENT-RELATED COMMENTS, HUMOR, PEOPLE/SUBSCRIBERSHIP/NETWORKING/CONTACTS, SENSE OF COMMUNITY, SERIALST'S FORMAT, EDUCATIONAL USES, PRACTICAL USES GENERAL COMMENTS: - Nothing in particular. - Everything. - Knowing it's there. - Very helpful. - Very informative. (2) - It's a great resource ... CURRENCY/CURRENT AWARENESS: - Ability to know/keep up-to-date with what issues are concerning serials/serials specialists. (34) - Being alerted to problems or new developments. (2) - Currency/Timeliness/Immediacy (52) - Fast way to exchange information (5) - Keeping in touch, hearing what other people are dealing with. (14) - Keeps me up-to-date and professionally connected. - Keeps me well informed with what is happening in U.S. - Most recent news for serials seems to appear on SERIALST. - Pertinent, informative and on-time. - Quickest way to disseminate information to a wide audience. (3) - Rapidity/speed of responses or answers to questions (15) CONTENT-RELATED COMMENTS: - Communication / informal discussion. (8) - Freedom of expression. - "Open forum" quality of discussions. - No problem is too small to be taken up. - Answers simple questions that don't always get into the literature. - [Offers] opportunity to post specific questions. (8) - Acquisitions information. - Blend of acquisitions and cataloging issues; broad scope of serials discussion; forum for a variety of issues; brings all levels of the serials community together in one forum. (11) - Discussion on barcoding problems. - Cataloging information. (13) - Find cataloging questions of interest, even though I do not catalog. (2) - Serials collection management issues. - Conference information (announcements, meeting reports, etc.) (7) - Union list information (OCLC UL UG minutes). - Good daily news/information source (3) - The occasional 'hot topic' / late breaking news. (4) - How-to tips with colleagues from many libraries. (2) - Nitty-gritty hands-on stuff ... - Information about transactions between vendors/publishers/libraries (2) - especially corporate changes and policies. - Commercial developments / Vendor mergers (eg Turner/Dawson take over, etc.) - Information about vendors (4) and publishers. - Direct information from publishers instead of hearsay. - Appreciated information made available re. Faxon and G&B (2) - Information about emerging trends (3) and prices (2) - Information & posts about specific titles. (16) - Information on publications. - Information that can't be obtained elsewhere. (2) - Provides access to a lot of useful information. (2) - Most of the information is useful. - Tremendously helpful and encouraging information. - Some material is not relevant, but other information is very helpful. (5) - All sorts of information ... minutia to thought-generators. - Informativeness of topics. - Topics for discussion. - Job postings. (3) - News items. - SERIALS! / serials-related news and information / solely serials. (22) - Subject lines are clear (helps decide whether or not to read) (6) - Summaries of posted questions. (3) - Thought-provoking discussion list for Serials people. - Variety of issues/points of view and quality of participants (17) HUMOR: - Amusing anecdotes / occasional humor of contributors. (7) - [Humor] helps us all keep perspective and not take any of it too seriously. - "Keeps me entertained and constantly amazed at the trivialities (title changes, sticky dots on spines of columns kept in compact shelving, etc., etc.) which occupy us so much of the time! Pretty depressing, really." PEOPLE/SUBSCRIBERSHIP/NETWORKING/CONTACTS: - Broad knowledge base of subscribership / access to knowledgeable people. (9) - Broadens the pool of experts one can turn to. - Combination of librarians, support staff, and vendors. - Company of/contact with my peers, serials people ... (3) - Contact with other serials folks (I'm the only one at my location). (4) - Friendly atmosphere, nice people! - International/global scope; participation of colleagues from around the world. (15) - Being outside the U.S. with no contact with English speaking colleagues outside my institution, I find it invaluable to note trends in serials librarianship by reading the comments and queries as well as for valuable assistance I've received from listme mbers answering thorny reference questions that we don't have the resources to answer competently here. - Live in geographically isolated area (NZ); it is easier/quicker/more efficient to ask the list than write a letter and wait months for (maybe!) an answer from a publisher who doesn't always understand the ... question anyway. - Particularly helpful when we [in So. Africa] are so far away from publishers and other serials librarians. - Professional contacts/networking and/or Sense of collegiality/camaraderie. (12) - Variety of the sizes and types of libraries represented by the contributors. - Wide dissemination / reaches many people (4) - Willingness of subscribers to answer questions/help solve problems. (14) - I find it frequently intimidating to speak up at conferences, but SERIALST is not as threatening and I feel more at ease asking for help/answering queries. SENSE OF COMMUNITY: - Being able to hear from people that perform comparable duties to mine. - Being able to discuss serials issues with others who have the same understanding of the nasty little boogers. - Having a forum for folks who speak the same language. - Finding out what other libraries concerns, issues and solutions to problems are. (9) - Hearing how things are done elsewhere. - Hearing from those "doing the work" as well as those formulating actions, policies ... etc. - I'm new to serials (2). Find the help & sharing of common issues/concerns/problems useful for doing my job better or improving my dept. (13) - Instant access to shared knowledge and experience of others in the field. (8) - Interaction among serials specialists. (3) - Allows for exchange of ideas and information. (4) - Interchange of ideas. - Participants often forward messages that they have received from other listserv groups that are useful to SERIALST readers. - Sense of community & shared concerns. (2) - Sense that I'm not alone / others share or are dealing with the same or similar problems / kindred spirits / "we're all in this together" (21) - Sharing information/experience with others. (4) - Sharing of "how we did it good/bad" stories. SERIALST'S FORMAT: - Archives are accessible. (3) - Brevity (3) - Convenience (it comes right to my desktop) - Easy to use. (3) - The format. (2) - Format that's easy to read -- either file, forward, or dispense with. (2) - Good instructions and information on the listserv itself; easy to see and change options. - Highly professional and informative manner in which most messages are posted ..." - It is a focused list /stays within scope (13); people don't go off on unrelated subjects (2)... they don't "flame." (2) - Scope & Purpose well defined (5) - It's edited/moderated/monitored. (20) - Appreciate moderators taking time to "digest" or group related messages in one larger message. (2) - Moderators seem to keep discussion within bounds--or else serialists are just quieter than other people? - Quality of contributions. - Not alot of chatter/chitchat/trivia (13) - Lack of clutter (4) - List isn't flooded (2) - Size/Mailflow is manageable. (10) - Volume of mail EDUCATIONAL USES: - As a student, I am interested in what the professionals are talking about in the field. These discussions are an aid to my expectations of what the profession will be like. - Helps me see the bigger (or wider) picture. - It helped train me as a serials librarian. - It's a learning tool. - It's both a learning experience and a support system ... - It's very supportive and educational. (2) PRACTICAL USES: - Great place to get advice. (2) - Helpful suggestions and creative solutions that are presented. (6) - Practicality (2) - Relevant or directly applicable to my work. (17) - ... A source to go to find answers to questions re. serials... I use the list, especially to gather information so that a sound decision can be made and a policy established to handle certain situations. - Useful advice received on some difficult issues. 9. What could be improved (format, content, etc.)? - no answer (134) (51%) Keywords for Broadly Grouped Categories of Comments: GENERAL COMMENTS, CONTENT-RELATED COMMENTS, CURRENCY/CURRENT AWARENESS, SERIALST'S FORMAT, PEOPLE/SUBSCRIBERSHIP/NETWORKING/CONTACTS GENERAL COMMENTS: - Haven't subscribed long enough to answer (3) - (specified:) Nothing (13) - Can't think of anything (6) - No comments/suggestions/recommendations at this time (8) - Pretty much satisfied with the way it is/fine as is (25) - Not much! It's a model of a good list, IMHO - Love it! - It's great! - I just want the information and SERIALST provides it, so I'm quite happy. - No complaints/like the present format (4) - It seems OK now, viz "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." CONTENT-RELATED COMMENTS: - Cut out all the gossip on it. - Less "me too" posting on the list .... - Less supplication of messages ... and less inclusion of entire messages in responses. - With replies to previous messages, the original message is sometimes tacked on either at the beginning or end. This can be confusing when one is trying to read quickly. - No duplicate messages. - "Many postings seem to be local/insignificant, and I think that for many the list is not appropriate." - Sometimes the articles are very "local" -- i.e., American -- but that is to be expected! - More discussion of broad issues. - More discussion of ejournal processing and acquisition. - More discussion of new titles for selection purposes. - More topics in the area of standing orders. - More discussion of electronic publications (esp. cataloging) - More cataloging-related info/issues (7) - More information on non-cataloging info/issues (2) - If message is about specific serials cataloging issue, some kind of notice in the header since I don't have time to deal with those issues. - "Don't like the tendency to talk in USMARC, rather than AACR ... we don't use USMARC ... !" - More discussion relevant to public libraries (most contributors are from academic settings; issues discussed not always relevant to my situation) (2) - More intellectual discussion & more replies to items that require thought & reflection. - More position announcements for library techs. - More people should summarize for the list when they say they're going to - ... better utilization of summaries by the original poster. - More reports of local conditions or initiatives. - "Periodical return to similar topics [is] very annoying. How often have we heard ALL the arguments for and against classified arrangements, reshelving, et. al. ... I wish we had a faster 'get thee to the archives' statement ..." - Sorry to see pricing issues split out ... - Clearer or more specific or standardized subject lines (7) - Delineate subject lines that would help readers to eliminate messages they don't want to read ... encourage people to use labels like CATALOGING, CHECK-IN, etc. at the beginning of subject lines. - Put country of origin in the subject line of job postings. CURRENCY/CURRENT AWARENESS: - Occasionally there are responses to messages I've not received [could it be email or networking delays??? -bml] SERIALST'S FORMAT: - Glad that as alternative methods [of access] appeared (e.g., gopher, web), SERIALST added them while maintaining LISTSERV origins; text-only e-mail is still the only method of access to the 'net for many. - Archive messages on the WWW by week or month and accessible by clicking on the title of any particular message - a very useful facility with lists that use Mailbase. - Expand WWW services ... create a search interface to the discussion list archives via the web. - Easier access to gopher archives. - Instructions for how to get to and use the archives. - Instructions for unsubscribing! - More information about digest [option], web and gopher. - Keep daily digest under 350 lines. - "... More notice of available SERIALST services without having to read the giant Scope and Purpose statement. Perhaps break into small files and run occasionally ..." [hypertext links allow for this in the SERIALST web page. -bml] - Too many messages posted that say "Respond to the author, not to SERIALST". Many times these are messages I would most LIKE to see DISCUSSION on ..." (3) - Would prefer to see all answers to queries on SERIALST. - Way too cluttered PEOPLE/SUBSCRIBERSHIP/NETWORKING/CONTACTS - I wish contributors would check their facts before making statements that aren't always accurate. - More of "us lurkers" should contribute! (2) 10. What changes would you like to see in SERIALST? - no answer (169) (64.5%) Keywords for Broadly Grouped Categories of Comments: GENERAL COMMENTS, CONTENT-RELATED COMMENTS, HUMOR, PEOPLE/SUBSCRIBERSHIP/NETWORKING/CONTACTS, SERIALST'S FORMAT GENERAL COMMENTS: - (specified) None/Nothing (17) - Haven't subscribed long enough to answer (2) - I like it the way it is (8) - Can't think of any (11) - Oh please! Don't change anything! - Can't think of any, but I'm sure that others will happen ... - No comments/suggestions/recommendations at this time. (9) - It's ok. - I'm a go with the flow person; any topical issue is fine. - Just keep going full speed ahead! - I'm sure someone will come up with a wonderful suggestion. - Great job/excellent service. (4) - "Not exactly a change, but I'd like to see someone start a binding list ..." CONTENT-RELATED COMMENTS: - Categorized by subject (cataloging, check-in, marking, etc.); this would make it easier to find/read/use information. - Considerable overlap between SERIALST and ACQNET. This may be unavoidable, but for many of us the two could be combined. - Eliminate job postings; perhaps have a separate listserv for them. (2) - More job postings ... - Leave off the surveys. - "Fewer postings." - "More traffic ... I would like to hear from more serialists because their responses are generally thoughtful, practical and well-informed." - More discussion of issues, strategies, etc." - More of a 'point of view' selection on services offered, publications and other topics that the list would benefit from instead of the direct party. - Inclusion of more vendor announcements, not sales pitches, but commercial press releases. - More replies to my queries! NO ONE answered my query ... except people wanting copies of any replies. - More response/replies to queries in general (some postings generate no responses) - More philosophical issues. - Don't think major changes are needed, but would like to see more thought-provoking questions/postings. - " ... More substantive discussion ... Often the responses on SERIALST (as on other lists) are too anecdotal. I find that it makes me reluctant to pose questions of a more theoretical nature. How many individuals ... understand the difference between multiple copies, multiple subscriptions, multiple issues? How do you handle film replacement? How do you handle (administer) cumulative replacements? .... I would like to see the list more concerned with 'serial management' issues..." HUMOR: - "I got off AUTOCAT because I was spending too much time enjoying 'Friday humor.' Yet I wonder if we all couldn't benefit from a little less intensity with regard to our work..." - It needs a really neat theme song, something catchy and snappy like "The SERIALST Boogie." ...Put it up as an audio file on the web and we can all listen to it when we're having a bad day. I'm happy to volunteer to be on the Songwriting Committee. PEOPLE/SUBSCRIBERSHIP/NETWORKING/CONTACTS - More participation by medical librarians. - More international (non-US) news; encourage non-American serial experts to subscribe. - People asking for replies should treat indiv. replies confidentially unless otherwise specified. - Respondents to be careful in their replies; send replies intended for individuals to individuals, rather than to the list. [this from one of the moderators!] SERIALST'S FORMAT: - Continue your instructions on accessing information electronically (e.g., which addresses to use, etc.) - "I much preferred SERIALST when it was an unmoderated list. Even though people blooped every once in a while there was much more lively and interesting DISCUSSION going on than after the introduction of editors. I think that the addition of editors has formalized the list too much and causes much more lurking than otherwise." - "Would like to see it loosen up. There aren't that many serials librarians in the world. I'd like unrestricted discussions to flow between us in a less formal atmosphere. As matters stand, the list has a fussy, "I hear voices in the library!" feel. It doesn't allow the fertile sharing I've experienced between peers on other lists." - Less moderation of controversial issues (e.g., Faxon sale) - Make it a Usenet group. - Rotating Editorial Review Board.
