---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 11:54:16 +0500
From: Frieda Rosenberg <friedat@EMAIL.UNC.EDU>
Subject: Re: serial holdings (Theresa C. Trawick)

Theresa, if this is an online catalog
Do:
  distinguish parts of the holdings record in some way that would make it
intelligible to a different system.  For example, distinguish actual
holdings from notes that might accompany them--by punctuation, coding,
uniform line number, whatever you have available

  decide where you absolutely need detail (for us it was annuals and
non-periodical serials); include other detail as is feasible, but not to
the point of eroding your efficiency (getting them in is the primary goal)

  plan ahead to minimize the need for second and third passes; for
instance, consult someone who has had experience in automating or
migrating holdings to make sure your coding will be read correctly

  consult systems people to see if you can automate parts of this
time-consuming job (macros are helpful)

  add enhancements such as user-friendly notes if feasible--for instance,
if something is currently received, say so.  For this, you may need to
consult users or staff who work with users.

Don't:

  treat data inconsistently from one part of the file to another (and if
you must, make sure a computer can deal with it).

  let others design for your data without consulting you.  You know it
best.  Talk loudly when it comes time to migrate the data.

Regards,
Frieda
----------
Frieda Rosenberg
Serials Cataloging
Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
friedat@email.unc.edu

> From: Theresa C Trawick <tsutct01@ASNMAIL.ASC.EDU>
> Subject: serial holdings
>
> If you did not have serial holdings records in your library catalog and
> could begin from scratch to add them, what would be some definite do's and
> don'ts?
>
>