Showing papers in "Technical Services Quarterly in 1991"
TL;DR: The old and new organizational structures are compared and three teams with centralized responsibilities are examined, as are the various groups, internal and external to Technical Services, which have evolved to help the new organization function.
Abstract: The Technical Services departments at Yale have been radically restructured from a traditional, compartmentalized organization to self-managing subject teams which incorporate acquisitions, cataloging, and serials functions. The implementation of an integrated Notis system provided the impetus to streamline workflow and create a model with the flexibility to adapt to an environment of constant change. The authors compare the old and new organizational structures and describe how the teams operate. Three teams with centralized responsibilities are examined, as are the various groups, internal and external to Technical Services, which have evolved to help the new organization function.
8 citations
TL;DR: The use of library school student assistants has been found to be a successful method for carrying out special technical services projects dealing with retrospective elements of collections when full time staff is not available.
Abstract: In today's rapidly changing library environment, managers must face heavy work loads and shortages in staffing and budgetary support. Without additional resources, the conducting of special technical services projects dealing with retrospective elements of collections has become an extremely difficult process. Through a cooperative program developed at the University of Arizona College of Law Library, the use of library school student assistants has been found to be a successful method for accom lishing thew complex projects when full time staff is not availabfe. This article outlines the basic philosophy behind the operation, and indicates the types of projects handled and the components involved in establishing the program.
6 citations
TL;DR: This paper reports on how computer modeling was used to assist with the development and execution of redistribution plans for a general collection in a major academic library.
Abstract: Space management and planning for lihraries is an ongoing, costly process. When a library is sixty-six pcrcent full, planning for additional space should be well undcnvay. For libraries unable to afford expensive computer assisted dcsign (CAD) software, collection models based on spreadsheet software can be used to assist in various aspects of space planning. Human resources used to execute the selected plan can also be allocated using similar microcomputcr applications. This paper reports on how computer modeling was used to assist with the developrncnt and execution of redistribution plans for a general collection in a major academic library.
5 citations
TL;DR: The study includes: number of minimal level upgrades attempted, success rate, differences observed between the attempt and records successfully altcred by another institution, and the effect this activity had on the local online catalog.
Abstract: Minimal level upgrades are performed routinely on OCLC monographic records that are produced by the Cataloging Department at Morris Library, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. These records are improved for three reasons: ( I ) to provide the most complete record for library users; (2) to maintain the library's commitment to a high level of cataloging; (3) to enhitnce record quality for the online catalog. Recent shifts in staffing required an examination of this cataloging activity to determine its feasibility. A sample of nearly 200 minimal level records were investigated over the course of a year. The study includes: number of minimal level upgrades attempted, success rate, differences observed between our attempt and records successfully altcred by another institution, and the effect this activity had on the local online catalog.
3 citations
3 citations
TL;DR: The author describes a computer-aided storage design method for compact shelving using dBase 111 + software.
Abstract: Several alternatives are available to solve the lack of space at libraries nation-wide: weeding, reformatting, resource sharing or building/remodeling collection storage facilities. The author describes a computer-aided storage design method for compact shelving using dBase 111 + software.
2 citations
TL;DR: The 1SU service group, which includes the libraries of Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, University of Southern Indiana, and Vincennes University, has evolved over a period of five years as opportunities for funding have become available as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: A comparatively informal cooperative arrangement among five Indiana lbraries sharing Indiana State University's NOTIS system is described. In contrast to groups that were planned as consortia and that have formal governance and staff, the 1SU service group, which includes the libraries of Indiana State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, University of Southern Indiana, and Vincennes University, has evolved over a period of five years as opportunities for funding have become available.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the major catalog use studies that have been conducted in the United States and Great Britain and the potential to influence the construction of new online public access catalogs is emphasized.
Abstract: This article discusses the major catalog use studies that have been conducted in the United States and Great Britain. The potential to influence the construction of new online public access catalogs is emphasized. The cumulative findings could serve as an information base which designers of OPAC systems could refer to in the course of their work.
2 citations
TL;DR: The author recommends the cooperative approach to library automation, suggesting that groups of libraries form small networks where members will share the cost of establishing and maintaining automation systems.
Abstract: The availability of new technologies brings new expectations for automation in libraries. While automation is becomlng a way of life in medium to larger libraries in the U.S., it is estimated that less than ten percent of the nation's 30,000 libraries are involved in a full scale automation system. Those who are involved spend a greater percentage of resources on automation than the published literature admits. The author recommends the cooperative approach to library automation, suggesting that groups of libraries form small networks where members will share the cost of establishing and maintaining automation systems.
2 citations
TL;DR: It was found that the experimental group's musculoskeletal symptoms were reduced and they reported the chair to be good and the findings indicated that the kneeling style chair might be an option.
Abstract: A six month research study was conducted to determine if a kneeling style chair is appropriate for VDT office use. This study consisted of thirty library employees assigned to either the experimental group (kneeling chair) or the control group (standard chair). The Musculoskeletal Self Report Inventory was adrninistercd to both groups as a pretest and as a posttest. An Opinion Survey was also administered as a posttest. It was found that the experimental group's musculoskeletal symptoms were reduced and they reported the chair to be good. The findings indicated that the kneeling style chair might be an option.
2 citations
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TL;DR: To determine the reasons for a number of patrons who continued to use that catalog, even though NOTIS, the Online Public Access Catalog, offered more comprehensive and current access to library holdings, a one-page questionnaire was prepared focusing on the users' preference for an inadequate card catalog in an environment which offers a superior OPAC.
Abstract: Since the closing of the Sterling C. Evans Library author/title card catalog on March 6, 1989, librarians have observed a number of patrons who continued to use that catalog, even though NOTIS, the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), offered more comprehensive and current access to library holdings. To determine the reasons for this use, the authors prepared a one-page questionnaire, focusing on the users' preference for an inadequate card catalog in an environment which offers a superior OPAC. Card catalog patrons were then surveyed in order to gather data and build a user profile. Survey results were tabulated and analyzed, revealing the underlying reasons for users' preference for the card or online catalog. Conclusions will provide direction for improvements in users' access to online catalogs.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors define the costs and benefits of membership against a history of network-facilitated technology transfer in librarres and present an economic analysis of membership in AMIGOS.
Abstract: In deciding whether to join and participate actively in a regional network, the full range of costs must be weighed against the benefits that accrue. Some of these benefits include continuing education, interpersonal networking, formal and informal consultation and support, and representation in national resource-sharing efforts- not to mention use of specific products and services which are quantifiable! The economics of obtaining technology-based products and services through membership in regional networks such as AMIGOS cannot be analyzed outside the library's political and professional context. The political realities and professional objectives of individual library managers are always components of the economic picture. This presentation attempts to define the costs and benefits of membership against a history of fifteen years of networkfacilitated technology transfer in librarres.
TL;DR: In this article, the chemistry serials collections of The University of Texas and University of California at Berkeley and Massachusetts Institute of Technology were compared and preliminary collection overlap comparisons were made of the three collections.
Abstract: After a major serials cancellation project in 1986 forced the Chemistry Library at The University of Texas to cancel 10% of its serial titles, a project was planned to assess its remaining serial titles. The project used the computer based Chemical Ahstracts Service Source Index as its basis. The chemistry serials collections of The University of Texas and University of California at Berkeley and Massachusetts Institute of Technology were compared. Preliminary collection overlap comparisons are made of the three collections.
TL;DR: While more expenditure for ungraded staff may be expected, non-personnel costs will increase, including contracts for hardware and software maintenance, new supply items, and more telephone and travelltraining expenses, justified by gaining universal access to an improved catalog database.
Abstract: Automation has changed both procedures and cost distribution in technical services. Accommodation to the needs of automated systems requires a complete rethinking of procedures and responsibilities, and a much closer assignment of the latter. The creation and maintenance of an online database requires close attention to standards, particularly to authority control. Acquisitions and cataloging staffs need to work together. It also needs closer cooperation between technical and public service units. While more expenditure for ungraded staff may be expected, non-personnel costs will increase, including contracts for hardware and software maintenance, new supply items, and more telephone and travelltraining expenses. The increased costs are justified by gaining universal access to an improved catalog database.
TL;DR: Several spreadsheets developed at the University of Idaho Library to collect statistics about cataloging activity and technical services activity and costs are examined here.
Abstract: Statistics about cataloging activity are collected for several reasons: to monitor productivity and workflow and to satisfy requests from outside agencies and the library administration about the size and nature of the library's collection. Several spreadsheets developed at the University of Idaho Library to collect statistics about cataloging activity and technical services activity and costs are examined here.
TL;DR: NCCP (National Coordinated Cataloging Program) is criticized here for its unstated assumptions regarding cataloging flows and productivity at each of the pilot institutions and the overall national effect of the policy.
Abstract: NCCP (National Coordinated Cataloging Program), a pilot project sponsored by the Library of Congress, is evaluated in terms of its stated goals. The analysis, appropriate for any type of information policy, is meant to supplement a cost study, currently being carried out by Tantalus, Inc. in order to determine whether the Program is cost effective. NCCP is criticized here for its unstated assumptions regarding cataloging flows and productivity at each of the pilot institutions and the overall national effect of the policy. These assumptions, when examined closely, are seen to be unwarranted. As a result, the author argues, the Program will have effects opposite to those desired. Suggestions are given for those who formulate information policy for libraries, in order to avoid the pitfalls of NCCP in the future.
TL;DR: The Briscoe Library of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has developed a new interlibrary loan statistical system that produces monthly and annual reports, generates itemized monthly invoices to borrowing libraries, and tracks borrowed titles to comply with copyright law and to assist with collection development.
Abstract: The Briscoe Library of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has developed a new interlibrary loan statistical system. Lending requests are downloaded from DOCLINE and from the OCLC ILL microenhancer's pending file. All other lending requests and all borrowing requcsts are entered manually. The system produces monthly and annual reports, generates itemized monthly invoices to borrowing libraries, and tracks borrowed titles to comply with copyright law and to assist with collection development. Described are the technical aspects of the system, the various files, the downloading programs, the reporting programs, the copyright compliance programs, the invoicing programs, and the benefits and limitations of the system.
TL;DR: The progress of computer applications in some university libraries in the People Republic of China is reviewed, and the idea of library automation is being accepted.
Abstract: At present, four modernizations are in progress and affecting China's academic libraries. The status of these libraries is improving methodically, and the idea of library automation is being accepted. This article reviews the progress of computer applications in some university libraries in the People Republic of China.