Our chief journal "checker-inner" staged the closest she will ever come to
a one-woman rebellion yesterday when checking in microfiche on our Serials
control program (the Serials Module of EOSi -- the former Data Trek). When
we first began subscribing to journals/serials on microfiche, we set the
frequency and issue data up based upon how the source/paper copy is set up
(bi-weekly, monthly, weekly, etc.)  It turns out the fiche is more likely
to be shipped in batches, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.  So we
changed our records (35 titles) to reflect the expected frequency and
arrival time (always later than the paper).  So, for example, instead of
checking in v. 75, #3, March 1996 of Journal of Something Medical, we
check in v. 75, #1, 1996, as a >quarterly<, for the January through March
fiche (the fiche sheets vary in how they are broken down: some follow the
pattern of the paper, others appear continuous).  When the Apr-June fiche
arrives next January or so, we check that in as v. 75, #2, 1996, and so
on.  The chief reason for this is to allow the Serials module to
anticipate when the next "issue" (batch of fiche, in this case) is due,
greatly facilitating claiming.  It isn't fair to the vendor to be claiming
the January through May issues when none of them will be shipped until the
June issue is filmed, and the semiannual fiche batch sent out, for
example.

As I said, our chief checker-inner staged her own little rebellion
yesterday, and loudly labeled the arrangement as "asinine" (thank you
very much).  As I had altered all 35 titles from their inaccurate original
to this new format, I tried to explain the arrangement (and tried NOT to
be insulted....), but the explanation fell on deaf ears.

How do others -- especially those using automated serials control --
handle a) the frequency of reproduced serials (fiche, film, CD-ROM, etc.)
where the frequency is different from the original, and b) the issue data
for such items?

The rebel is without a cause, for the rest of the week, being on vacation,
so now is the time for us to come up with a plan.

As is, our setup is "asinine", and "confusing".  As was, the Serials
Module was recommending items for claiming long before they were due.

Any ideas?

Mike "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" Scully, of....
Swedish Medical Center/Ballard  | Internet: swedlib2@wln.com
Reference Library               | http://www.wln.com/~swedlib1
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