---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 4 Mar 1998 09:46:34 -0600
From: Karen Chobot <chobot@PLAINS.NODAK.EDU>
Subject: Re: Serials and their collections (2 messages)

I have to disagree completely with the opinions below, who feel there is no
need for serials control of non-current titles.  We started our system by
only inputting current items and changing serials records when title changes
and so on occured.  Over time I have found it very useful to have all titles
in the serials database, where I can keep notes about changes, orders,
claiming, and so on.  We use PALS, which allows checkin, decision, internal,
series, public, and history records.  This allows for the elimination of
almost all my paper records.  All the information that was once on our
Kardex and rollodex files is now in the computer instead.  My clerks and
students do not have to run to varying places to check on requests or
mysterious issues which appear in the mail.  Decision records are
particularly useful for all those odd-ball items which appear sporadically,
usually as a result of some other subscription.  Finally, I can print out
any sort of list I want, based on format, decisions, purchasers, requestors,
vendors, and so on.  The only rekeying I have to do at present involves
uploading to the Union List, and we are hoping for that to be included when
we migrate to a new system in a couple of years.  I have about 850 current
titles, another 250 or so other records which include backfiles and decision
items.  The computer has been incredibly useful in tapping into this
database.  Use a little imagination and those serials records can do a lot
more than just checkin and order!!

At 03:45 PM 3/2/98 -0500, you wrote:
>2 messages
>
>1)----------------------------------
>---------- Forwarded message ----------
>Date: Mon, 2 Mar 1998 14:26:38 -0500
>From: Deborah Harrell <dharrell@WESTGA.EDU>
>Subject: Re: Serials and their collections (Yves Magis)
>
>As I've stated in the past, why would you want to put non-current titles
>under serials control?  If you have title records in your OPAC, you can
>just include a note there of what your holdings are for non-current
>materials.
>
>Putting a title under serials control is primarily a method of controlling
>the orders and the incoming issues.
>
>Debbie Harrell
>Ingram Library, State University of West Georgia
>phone: 770-836-6498
>fax: 770-836-6626
>
>
>2)-------------------------
>Date: Mon,02 Mar 1998
>From:  Stephen D. Clark <sdclar@mail.swem.wm.edu>
>Subject: Serials and their collections
>
>Deborah,
>
>        I agree with you.  I was pointing out to Yves that one has
>the option to attach a control record to a holdings record if need be and
>that one can have a holdings record without linking it to a control
>record.  Yes, it is totally unnecessary to attach a serials control record
>to a holdings record for a dead title or non-current title.
>
>Stephen
>
>--
>Stephen D. Clark                              phone:  757-221-3107
>Acquisitions Librarian                       fax:    757-221-2535
>Earl Gregg Swem Library                 e-mail:  sdclar@mail.swem.wm.edu
>P.O. Box 8794
>Williamsburg, VA  23187-8794
>
>
Karen M. Chobot, Reference Librarian
Mildred Johnson Library
North Dakota State College of Science
800 6th St. N.
Wahpeton ND 58076
701/671-2385

"I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of all that is bizarre and
outside the conventions and humdrum routine of daily life."  Sherlock
Holmes, in "The Red-Headed League."