Date: Sat, 09 Mar 1996 10:38:17 -0600
From: "Naomi P. Fackler" <npf7714@TAM2000.TAMU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Volume Statistics (Barbara Rauch)

Yes, we would like to hear a discussion of this problem. We inherited a
figure and have been adding and subtracting from it ever since (we bind,
so that helps), but no one really has confidence in the result. We do not
yet have item records for all our bound journals, so the online system
does not really help.

Naomi Fackler
Medical Sciences Library
Texas A&M University
College Station TX 77843-4462

n-fackler@tamu.edu

> Date: Thu, 7 Mar 1996 13:08:21 GMT+1200
> From: Barbara Rauch <BRAUCH@ORAKEI.AIT.AC.NZ>
> Subject: Volume Statistics
>
> Dear Serialst folks,
>
>    We are trying to devise an accurate and efficient system for
> keeping current and annual statistics of the number of volumes of
> serials we hold.
> Given that - One volume = a bound "book" or  a box of issues or a set of
> issues per year,
> and that a serial includes periodicals and annuals on standing
> order which are held for 1 - 10 years before withdrawal.
> We hold approx. 1900 titles and we do not bind our serials and so can not
> benefit from
> binder's figures. We use the serials control module of the Urica 2000 system.
>
>    We could physically keep a tally against a printed list as a new volume
> number is checked in. This seems to be the likely method being discussed at
> present.
> The cataloguing dept keeps statistics of withdrawn issues and feels
> that counting of received volumes should be a serials dept matter.
> The definition of a volume seems to be not just the publisher's
> numbering but also how many will fit into a box. This convention
> surely  dates from the dark ages. It can only be an estimate, but I
> guess if all libraries count this way then we are at least comparing apples
> with apples. BUT surely there's a way to do this using computer
> technology. Perhaps counting bar-codes used (we code every issue) and
> dividing by the average number of issues per volume per year  - say 8.
> We are planning to begin by doing  a physical count of the volumes on the
> shelf  and then implement this tally system from June onwards..
>
>     If you have a system that works well would you please share it with
> me? The more I think about it the more complex it becomes. What do you do
> when the publication does not have Vols and Nos.
> How are you alerted when an annual needs withdrawing?
>
>     Do you perhaps do it through the catalogue holdings record?
>
>     Perhaps there are others on the list who would like to hear some
> discussion of this problem?
>
> Regards,
> xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Barbara Rauch, Serials-Acquisitions
> Auckland Institute of Technology Library
> Private Bag 92006                        E-Mail:brauch@centre.ait.ac.nz
> Auckland, New Zealand                 Ph:(09)307 9999 Fx:(09)307 9977
>
> xxxxxxx Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine xxxxxxx
>