4 messages: 1)______ Date: Thu, 04 Nov 1999 17:45:37 -0700 From: Lanell Rabner <lanell_rabner@BYU.EDU> Subject: Re: What is a periodical? (Lauren Corbett) I am looking for a definition that makes sense to both the library and the patron - focusing on both points of view. Thanks! Lanell > Lanell Rabner > Periodicals Librarian > Harold B. Lee Library > Brigham Young University > 2129 HBLL > Provo, UT 84663 > (801) 378-8655 > lanell_rabner@byu.edu > > > Lauren Corbett > Serials Services Librarian > Perry Library > Old Dominion University > Norfolk, VA 23529-0256 > Ph: (757) 683-4144 > Fax: (757) 683-5954 2)______ Date: Fri, 05 Nov 1999 09:51:54 -0900 From: Marie Murphy <mamm1@NSH.LIBRARY.NS.CA> Subject: Re: What is a periodical? (Lanell Rabner) To understand what a "periodical" is, it may be easier to know what it isn't. To do this we can look at serials as a whole. "Serial is an umbrella term for any publication issued in parts with a numerical or chronological designation, and usually published over an indefinite period of time. There are 3 or 4 primary types of serials. One type is the periodical and the newspaper. A second is the continuation, or series, which is more elusive because of its generally irregular publication and the habit a appearing in the form of hardbound books. A third type is what is the government document. Finally sets in progress may be considered serials when they are to be published over a long period of time." " Webster defines periodical as a publication that appears at regular intervals. Generally, the term periodical is construed to mean "magazine", which is a periodical containing miscellaneous articles, or stories, or poems or just about anything that has general or special appeal for a particular group of readers. "Journal" signifies that the periodical is for a group of professionals." Source: Guide to Magazine and Serials Agents; Bill Katz and Peter Gellatly, 1975. Marie D. Murphy Serials Supervisor Technical Services Halifax Regional Library mamm1@office.nsh.library.ns.ca Phone (902)-869-4425 3)______ Date: Thu, 04 Nov 1999 20:43:59 -0500 (EST) From: Enrique Gildemeister <RGildem550@AOL.COM> Subject: Re: What is a periodical? (Lauren Corbett) I'll try to address both. The best point of departure would be AACR2R's definition of a serial, and then we can narrow it down. P. 622: Serial. A publication in any medium issued in successive parts bearing numeric or chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely. Serials include periodicals; newspapers; annuals (reports, yearbooks, etc.); the journals, memoirs, proceedings, transactions, etc. of societies; and numbered monographic series. See also Series 1. I was unable to find a definition of "periodical" in AACR2R, though there is a good chance that one can be found in the CONSER manual, which I don't have access to. At any rate, years ago, Ben Tucker, who was responsible for making the LC Rule Interpretations in the 70's and 80's, always used to say "use feeling" to deal with ill-defined areas. My "feeling" or experience as a serials cataloger is that a periodical is: A soft-covered serial publication, with an aesthetically designed cover, which serves as the main presenter of the title and of the "image" intended by an editorial staff. Periodicals are almost always issued more frequently than once a year and always carry articles, though every once in a while, they may devote an entire issue to one long piece of book length. Periodicals can come in paper, microform, and electronic formats. For library public service purposes, I would add newspapers to the definition of periodicals, as current issues of both are almost always held or displayed in a special area. Unlike monographic paperbacks, issues of periodicals are usually put together and hard-bound in volumes or years, often with a special title page and index supplied by the publisher, but newsletters usually go in a binder or container, and newspapers are stacked or placed in hanging folders. I realize this is perhaps more a description than a short definition, but I hope it covers the cataloger's, the public services librarian's, and the patron's experiential "feeling" of periodicals. I hope as many people as possible will join in this really valuable discussion. Rick Gildemeister Unemployed Serials Cataloger ;-) RGildem550@AOL.COM 4)_______ Date: Fri, 05 Nov 1999 02:36:37 -0800 From: Mitch Turitz <turitz@SFSU.EDU> Subject: Re: What is a Periodical? Lanell: Basically, in our library, we use the rule of thumb: 1.) If it is published more frequently than annually (at the time it is first ordered and received) then it is a periodical and goes to the periodical department (and is cataloged, but not classified, and shelved by title). 2.) If it published annually or less frequently, then it is classified and shelved in the circulating stacks along with the books. 3.) If it is published by a government agency, then it goes to the government publications department, regardless of frequency. In the cases of #1 & 2, if the frequency changes, it remains where it was originally cataloged (too much work to recatalog/reclassify/declassify a title which may change frequency again and keep changing department locations) I hope that helps. -- Mitch _^_ _^_ ( ___ )-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-( ___ ) | | | | | | Mitch Turitz, Serials Librarian | | | | San Francisco State University Library | | | | Internet: turitz@sfsu.edu | | | | http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~turitz | | | | | | ( ___ )-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-==-( ___ ) V V I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day Tomorrow is not looking good either.