4 messages, 122 lines: (1)------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jun 1996 08:36:12 -0400 From: Deborah Harrell <dharrell@WESTGA.EDU> Subject: Re: Skipped issues and mysterious pattern changes (Steve Black) I also know the frustration of having an issue not *exactly* match the predicted checkin record. I edit the checkin when it doesn't match, but of course, this may take time for when editing one, you might need to edit all anticipated records. On the positive side, when you need to claim issues, your Kardex never gave you a listing of titles due but not received. Most on-line systems have this capability, whether you utilize it or not. All in all, I don't ever want to go back to the paper Kardex (although we still maintain it for newspapers). Thanks. Debbie Harrell Ingram Library, West Georgia College phone: 770-836-6498 (2)------------------------- Date: 3 Jun 1996 09:31:24 -0600 From: "Kaaren Pupino" <Kaaren.Pupino@thor.law.und.nodak.edu> Subject: Re: Skipped issues and mysterious pattern changes Dear Steve, I can certainly empathize with you on this and it is not just your online system. The thing is once serials are loaded into an electronic database it drives you. You may get to steer a bit but for the most part you are now along for the ride! Unfortunately we are committed to using these databases because publishers are now depending upon libraries to have them. They are demanding that missed issues be claimed within shorter periods of time or the library must pay for the issue again or find that it is out of print. Without automatic electronic claiming we are left with holes in the collection anyway. It would help if you could tell us what software system you are using. This way, people who are using the same system could respond to your dilemma. We use the PALS-TAC system developed by Mankato State University. Sincerely, Kaaren Pupino, Serials Librarian Thormodsgard Law Library University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND 58202 (701) 777-2486 e-mail: kaaren.pupino@thor.law.und.nodak.edu P.S. There is a law library that was established in 1985 that began with electronic checkin. They had to change software systems a couple of times and more or less out of frustration are now using the Kardex system until they can get everything straightened out and on one system. Then they will probably automate with the Innopac system who's serials module was created in a law library! -------------------------------------- > Date: Fri, 31 May 1996 15:37:23 -0700 > From: Steve Black <blacks@ROSNET.STROSE.EDU> > Subject: Skipped issues and mysterious pattern changes > > Like those who pine for the old card catalog, sometimes I wonder > whether online catalog serials modules are really superior to the old > Kardex for checking in serials. > When publishers change the publication pattern and provide few clues to > what the new pattern will be, my serials module is *completely* > unforgiving. The Kardex was patient, willing to wait and see what will > come next, just as I must do. It doesn't say, "Guess right, or do it all > over again later!" > When publishers skip an issue, and decide on a whim to just forget > Autumn and call Vol.x no.x Winter instead, my computer screen stares at > me with those blank, beady little ASCII characters, laughing at me. > The Kardex was sympathetic, and happily accepted an asterisk and a > scribbly note. A blank box made the card brighter and cheerier, and did > not demand any more work on my part. My online catalog insists that I > fix the gap, or else it will punish me with false claims, no claims, or > phantom holes in the collection. > > But perhaps it's just *my* online system that's difficult? > > Anyone with handy tricks for dealing with skipped issues and mysterious > publication pattern changes, please share! > > Steve Black > Serials Librarian > The College of Saint Rose > Albany, NY > blacks@rosnet.strose.edu (3)------------------------ Date: Mon, 03 Jun 1996 08:39:48 -0700 From: Ron Phillips <ron.phillips@sonoma.edu> Subject: Re: Skipped issues and mysterious pattern changes Steve - I share your frustration but must deal with these and other 'quirks' in our DRA system. An easy way to deal with the 'skipped issues' problem is to check in the issue then delete it. In my system, the issues will then look correct and the summary holdings are also correct with no gaps (manipulating an individual issue does not affect the summary holdings once checked in). As for the frequency changes, if I have any doubts on the current frequency I will either call the publisher or wait for another issue or two before I toss the old pattern and start up a new one. Sometimes, though, nothing works well enough and the whole record will need to be cleaned up. Good luck! ron phillips serials manager sonoma state university library ron.phillips@sonoma.edu (4)----------------------- Date: Tue, 4 Jun 1996 12:52:38 -0400 From: Mary S Hodgin <hodginms@MUSC.EDU> Subject: Re: Skipped issues and mysterious pattern changes (Steve Black) Yes, online catalogs sometimes require some fancy editing. However, the real problem would seem to be with the publishers who don't follow proper sequencing, change titles on a whim, etc. In my humble opinion we should all join together to highten awareness among those in publishing to our mutual benefit. How's that? [Mary S Hodgin <hodginms@MUSC.EDU>]
