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Showing papers in "Technical Services Quarterly in 1993"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors theoretically model and econometrically test the determinants of third-degree price discrimination concerning institutional versus individual pricing by the publishers for the top 99 journals in economics.
Abstract: This paper theoretically models and econometrically tests the determinants of third-degree price discrimination concerning institutional versus individual pricing by the publishers for the top 99 journals in economics. Three measures of price discrimination are employed for the basis of all statistical analyses as they pertain to subscribers in the United States for the year 1985: the existence of price discrimination, an index of monopoly power as devised by Lerner (1943), and the difference between institutional and individual subscription prices. Unstandardized and standardized coefficient estimates from probit and least-squares regression methods are derived across each measure of price discrimination. Policy recommendations are offered given empirical findings for libraries as to how to limit the negative consequences of price discrimination practiced by publishers.

15 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An experiment with materials budgeting using a formula for allocation of funds has been undertaken by Ward Edwards Library at Central Missouri State University, and reaction from teaching faculty members across campus indicates that most of the factors used in the process are understood.
Abstract: An experiment with materials budgeting using a formula for allocation of funds has been undertaken by Ward Edwards Library at Central Missouri State University. Such factors as average costs of books and periodicals, number of titles available, number of faculty, and number of credit hours generated and degrees awarded are used. Reaction from teaching faculty members across campus indicates that most of the factors used in the process are understood. While they may not like the inclusion of some data, they respect the library's attempt to apportion funds equitably and to build a balanced collection.

8 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The University of Wyoming Libraries planned and implemented a serials cancellation project between September 1990 and June 1991 that used a faculty survey to collect data on essential titles and the development of a working file within the CARL integrated library system to back and disseminate project information.
Abstract: The University of Wyoming Libraries planned and implemented a serials cancellation project between September 1990 and June 1991. Nearly 2,000 titles were selected for cancellation. Unique features of the project included the use of a faculty survey to collect data on essential titles and the development of a working file within the CARL integrated library system to back and disseminate project information.

6 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study determined how many of the nonauthorized headings listed as cross references in an authority system could be found in the bibliographic record and examined the necessity for truncation of the keyword term derived from the non authorized heading.
Abstract: In the present environment of database searching, the research library user who is familiar with the concept of keyword searching with Boolean logic capabilities very often uses this same slrategy in the online catalog rather than looking up the established form of the heading listed in Library of Congress Subject Headings and Library of Congress Name Authorities. Questions that needed to be addressed were: does keyword searching provide a satisfactory substitute for searching by the authorized heading, and what kind of service or disservice do libraries do their users when keyword searching is the only strategy tried? This study determined how many of the nonauthorized headings listed as cross references in an authority system could be found in the bibliographic record. It also examined the necessity for truncation of the keyword term derived from the nonauthorized heading. A weighted system measured the frequency with which individual MARC fields provided matches for the keywords. The results of this st...

5 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Technical Services Report (TSR) as discussed by the authors is a collection of reports on systems, including new developments at the bibliographic utilities and networks, conference happenings and reports from meetings, what's new in technical services publications, as well as reports from technical services professionals on their research and projects.
Abstract: This column will feature reports on what is going on in the rapidly changing, ever-fascinating field of Technical Services. Each quarterly issue will consist of reports on systems, including new developments at the bibliographic utilities and networks, conference happenings and reports from meetings, what's new in technical services publications, as well as reports from technical services professionals on their research and projects. Such reports, announcements, and brief articles for consideration for inclusion should be sent to: Barry B. Baker, Editor, Technical Services Report, Director of Libraries, University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 162666, Orlando, FL 32816–2666.

4 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Guidelines have been developed to determine which microform sets should be analyzed in order to provide adequate access to each title in a microform set and to prepare for problems after loading which affect the public services and technical services departments in a library.
Abstract: Because of the number of analytic records required to describe titles in a large microform set, adding records for these sets into the online catalog can be problematic. Guidelines have been developed to determine which microform sets should be analyzed in order to provide adequate access to each title in a microform set and to prepare for problems after loading which affect the public services and technical services departments in a library.

4 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper explores the relationship between quality control and productivity, by relating library technical services operations to current research in the field of industrial psychology.
Abstract: Most efforts to increase productivity in cataloging operations stress the elimination of local practices seen as impediments to the flow of material through a catalog unit. Too often, among the victims of the streamlining process have been traditional quality control checks. This paper explores the relationship between quality control and productivity, by relating library technical services operations to current research in the field of industrial psychology.

3 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Developing and employing skill and ability tests for hiring people in supprt staff positions in acquisitions and cataloging and in connection with more conventional selection procedures provide managers with additional concrete data for improving hiring decisions and avoiding costly hiring mistakes.
Abstract: This article discusses developing and employing skill and ability tests for hiring people in supprt staff positions in acquisitions and cataloging. While the historical background for employment testing is both supportive and somewhat controversial, a clear trend for utilizing hiring tests is developing in the '90s. Valid skill and ability tests in connection with more conventional selection procedures provide managers with additional concrete data for improving hiring decisions and avoiding costly hiring mistakes.

3 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The library instruction program and information regarding NOTIS at White Library could be evaluated and modified and the training methods for OPAC users could be modified.
Abstract: This study was conducted in two phases. The first involved questioning catalog users at Emporia State about their experiences and their evaluation of NOTIS in order to assess how patrons felt about the catalog and how well they used it. The second portion of the study focused on the instruction offered by 59 randomly selected NOTIS libraries. Responses were solicited concerning the University or College, the library, and training methods for OPAC users. With the information gained through both parts, the library instruction program and information regarding NOTIS at White Library could be evaluated and modified.

3 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Noted advantages to the present structure and workflow changes are increased production, elimination of duplicative efforts and obsolete files, and greater utilization of the integrated online system NOTIS.
Abstract: In September 1990 a major reorganization took place in the Sterling C. Evans Library at Texas A&M University. The authors recap goals of the reorganization and describe the organizational structure of the technical services departments before and after the event with a focus on staff perceptions and reactions. Problems related to the physical move, shortages of equipment, and personnel are discussed. Noted advantages to the present structure and workflow changes are increased production, elimination of duplicative efforts and obsolete files, and greater utilization of the integrated online system NOTIS.

2 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The project to create a periodicals information center for selfhelp instruction, and to develop a tutorial in Hypercard on how to search for information in indexes and find periodicals in libraries, is discussed.
Abstract: The Science and Medicine Library holds over 7,000 periodical titles, provides access to locally mounted bibliographic databases, and serves about 15,000 students, faculty, and staff at the University of Toronto, and at 27 teaching hospitals in the city. The main, recurrent questions at information desks in the Library concern periodicals. In an effort to address this need in a new way, the Library decided to create a periodicals information center for selfhelp instruction, and to develop a tutorial in Hypercard on how to search for information in indexes and find periodicals in libraries. This paper deals with the background, nature and scope of the project, and its impact on users and on the library.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Library of Congress' Subject Cataloging Manual is a useful tool for catalogers, but it also is a barrier to substantial and comprehensive revision and reform of LC subject access.
Abstract: The Library of Congress' Subject Cataloging Manual is a useful tool for catalogers. However, it also is a barrier to substantial and comprehensive revision and reform of LC subject access.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study will provide a baseline against which improved throughput can be compared, and data on the longest step, vendor delivery, have led to another study and discussions with vendors.
Abstract: Libraries seeking to reduce overall delivery time of monographs to users should measure throughput from request receipt through cataloging. In this study, data are gathered for a random sample of orders to determine elapsed time for three components: request-to-order, order-to-receipt, and receipt-to-calaloging. Calculations are made for average days, median days, and cumulative relative frequency of each component. Acquisitions and cataloging workflows have been changed to reduce pre-order and cataloging delays. Data on the longest step, vendor delivery, have led to another study and discussions with vendors. This study will provide a baseline against which improved throughput can be compared.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Collection Development department at Loyola Marymount University uses the OCLCIAMIGOS Collection Analysis Compact Disk (CACD), as one of several collection centered techniques to evaluate subject collections to evaluates subject collections in the curriculum.
Abstract: The Collection Development department at Loyola Marymount University uses the OCLCIAMIGOS Collection Analysis Compact Disk (CACD), as one of several collection centered techniques to evaluate subject collections sup rling the curriculum. P" The disk is also used as a source of titles or collection building. Statistical reports illustrate how the holdings of one library can be compared to other groups of libraries in numbers of titles, by comparative size, by distribution of libraries, by titles that are lacking. and by those that are unique; these reports can be configured into bibliographies. The database covers a ten year span of books published from 1979 to 1989. LMU has a strong art and art history collectioncovering the time before 1979. As in any library, however, it is generally those books published within the last five to ten years that provide the dynamic collection most used by patrons. AMIGOS prov~des a representative source of titles published over a specific period of time. It is consequentl...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Texas A&M University loaded retrospective GPO records in December 1989 and continues to add current records on a monthly basis, indicating that this is a successful and cost effective method of collection and database management.
Abstract: Texas A&M University loaded retrospective GPO records in December 1989 and continues to add current records on a monthly basis. By the fall of 1990, it was realized that the move from catalog cards and shelflist check-in to an online system required an improved means of database management. Marcive supplied the Sterling C. Evans Library with monthly GPO tapes and a customized printout of the monthly records. Procedures were then developed to (1) check the records against items received, (2) address problems such as missing documents and missing records, (3) resolve inconsistencies in records and holdings as they are found. Results indicate that this is a successful and cost effective method of collection and database management.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The method used to survey the actual usage of existing journals and to identify the area of research needs is described, which is analyzed and used as the basis for changes in subscription of journals.
Abstract: Proliferation of journals and changing research interests present challenges to selectors when funds are limited. Several methods in replacing journal subscriptions were discussed and evaluated. This paper describes the method used to survey the actual usage of existing journals and to identify the area of research needs. The information is analyzed and used as the basis for changes in subscription of journals. How a subject selector can create a new subscription list, with a limited budget, in replacing the no- or low- usage journals is presented in the paper.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared time periods of pre-automation, subscription to a bibliographic utility, and implementing an automated circulation system for the cataloguing departments of four public libraries in Toronto, Canada, from 1970 to 1986.
Abstract: Time periods of (1) pre-automation, (2) subscribing to a bibliographic utility, and (3) implementing an automated circulation system were compared for the cataloguing departments of four public libraries in Toronto, Canada, from 1970 to 1986. Results suggested that managerial goals for increasing output, decreasing staff, and lowering rates of rise of per-unit costs were more successfully achieved during both periods of automation as compared to the manual environment, and during the period incorporating an in-house automated circulation system as compared to subscribing to a bibliographic utility for cataloguing support. Enhanced computer literacy may have contributed to optimizing applications of subsequent new technologies.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The librarian-of-the-future concept suggests that a new paradigm is needed for bibliographic services as discussed by the authors, and the authors of this article focus on ideas and concepts basic to the design of future systems, such as managerial issues, coordination of work flow, increased expectations, the new bibliographical specialist, scholarship and information production plus performance output measures, gateway functions for library technology, service to library user groups, status concerns, and less hierarchical organizational structures.
Abstract: An explanation of work experience encountered in the authors' five libraries, incorporating a review of professional literature, describes the effect of automating technical services upon cataloging personnel and operations. The librarian-of-the-future concept suggests that a new paradigm is needed for bibliographic services. Rather than describe an individual library, this article focuses on ideas and concepts basic to the design of future systems. Trends identified are managerial issues, coordination of work flow, increased expectations, the new bibliographic specialist, scholarship and information production plus performance output measures, gateway functions for library technology, service to library user groups, status concerns, and less-hierarchical organizational structures.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In anticipation of the arrival of the Bush Presidential Library, Texas A&M University librarians sought a method of developing a comprehensive list of the most important materials in 20th century presidential studies by identifying the appropriate subject headings and call number ranges relevant to presidential studies.
Abstract: In anticipation of the arrival of the Bush Presidential Library, Texas A&M University librarians sought a method of developing a comprehensive list of the most important materials in 20th century presidential studies. The researchers began by identifying the appropriate subject headings and call number ranges relevant to presidential studies. The same subject headings and call number ranges were then examined in the OCLC/AMIGOS Collection Analysis CD (CACD) and OCLC/EPIC databases. The number of overlaps, gaps and differences were compared and analyzed. The unique (not held by Texas A&M) bibliographic records for each database were collected and recommended for retrospective collection development purposes.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A checklist for assessing computer workstations is the best way to plan for a new workstation or to evaluate the "people ergonomics" of an existing one to ensure the safety and comfort of workstation users.
Abstract: Computer workstations, combinations of computer furniture and equipment, are an integral part of most contemporary library environments. It is critical that they be designed with human comfort and efficiency in mind. A proper workstation setup should be considered component by component, while remembering that these components must also work together to form a single unit. A checklist for assessing computer workstations is the best way to plan for a new workstation or to evaluate the "people ergonomics" of an existing one. Using such a checklist can avoid costly purchasing errors and help to ensure the safety and comfort of workstation users.