Nine Years after Implementing the Unthinkable: The Cessation of Periodical Check-in at the University of Nevada, Reno
TL;DR: Nine years after an end to the check-in of print periodicals in exchange for allocating staff resources to support electronic resources at the University of Nevada, Reno, current print serials management practices in a new and changed environment are assessed.
Abstract: In 2001, librarians at the University of Nevada, Reno, carried out what some considered a radical experiment in the library world: an end to the check-in of print periodicals in exchange for allocating staff resources to support electronic resources. Nine years later, the authors assessed current print serials management practices in a new and changed environment through a survey and interviews. This article presents the assessment results, discusses the directions taken over the years, the benefits and challenges, and offers suggestions for other libraries interested in exploring such a project.
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: Survey results show that 90 percent of academic libraries in Pennsylvania have conducted some form of assessment of technical services activities but that most of that assessment is quantitative in nature.
Abstract: Academic libraries regularly conduct assessment of library services through the use of rubrics or assessment tools such as LibQUAL (www.libqual.org/home). Technical services activities are frequently assessed; however, the assessment is typically limited to the evaluation of specific processes. This study was designed to explore assessment activities in Pennsylvania’s academic libraries. The author designed a survey to investigate whether technical services activities are assessed, how they are assessed, who is responsible for assessment, how the results of assessment activities are shared with others, and how those results are used to improve services or for other purposes. Sixty-three libraries responded to the survey (a 53 percent response rate). Survey results show that 90 percent of academic libraries in Pennsylvania have conducted some form of assessment of technical services activities but that most of that assessment is quantitative in nature.
9 citations
TL;DR: The issues raised by respondents suggested that Cataloging and Metadata Services should take a more proactive approach to communication with Public Services and indicated the need for further research.
Abstract: Personnel in Public Services and in Cataloging and Metadata Services were surveyed to determine how they rated the importance of various cataloging services, and to gauge their satisfaction with these services. The two groups differed in the importance and satisfaction scores that they assigned to certain cataloging services. The issues raised by respondents suggested that Cataloging and Metadata Services should take a more proactive approach to communication with Public Services and indicated the need for further research.
6 citations
Cites background from "Nine Years after Implementing the U..."
...Yue and Kurt (2011) used an internal survey followed by staff interviews to determine staff satisfaction with periodical management practices nine years after a decision to cease print periodical check-in....
[...]
2 citations
18 Feb 2015
TL;DR: In this paper, a literature review on the assessment of cataloging services in an academic library is presented, which is part of a cataloging survey project at the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries.
Abstract: Paper discussing a literature review on the assessment of cataloging services in an academic library. This paper is part of a Cataloging Survey Project at the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries.
References
More filters
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that the check-in process does not stand up to thoughtful scrutiny, and they argue that in the vast majority of cases, staff time currently devoted to checking-in could be much more effectively utilized and patrons would be better served if it were eliminated in favor of a much more abbreviated and pragmatic process.
Abstract: Librarians generally assume that serial check-in is an essential function. The authors challenge this assumption, maintaining that the practice does not stand up to thoughtful scrutiny. The check-in process does make possible such practices as routine claiming, binding, and the tracking of title and frequency changes, but many of these ancillary functions do little to help library patrons gain access to journal content; the functions can be accomplished by other, less time-intensive means. The authors believe that in the vast majority of cases, staff time currently devoted to check-in could be much more effectively utilized and patrons better served if check-in were eliminated in favor of a much more abbreviated and pragmatic process. Librarians at the University of Nevada, Reno, have conducted a year-long experiment in eliminating serial check-in, and found that doing so enabled them to reallocate staff time in ways that significantly enhance patron access to serial content without any appreciable negative impact on patron access to print issues.
27 citations
"Nine Years after Implementing the U..." refers background in this paper
...Starting in August 2008, the Knowledge Center print journals are located in three areas: (1) Popular Reading area housing current issues of about 175 popular periodicals, shelved by title; (2) regular open stacks housing most recent two years of most journal title issues, shelved by LC call number; (3) ASRS housing older journal volumes, retrievable through the library online catalog....
[...]
...While planning for the new building, it was imperative that library operations were aligned with the vision for the Knowledge Center, which involved two initiatives that had a huge impact on the management of the print serial collection: (1) implementation of an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) to house half of the library’s print collections and (2) eliminating the Current Periodicals area in its traditional sense....
[...]
TL;DR: The value of checking to obtain accuracy is well expressed by Young: "Whenever it is possible, the work should be checked in some way as discussed by the authors... This is usually possible; if not, a second working, independent of the first, is at least always possible."
Abstract: Educational literature in recent years has included much discussion about ido per cent accuracy in the operation of the fundamental processes. One of the means suggested for reaching and maintaining this standard is the use of checking. Different types of checks are proposed for the various processes. The value of checking to obtain accuracy is well expressed by Young: "Whenever it is possible, the work should be checked in some way. This is usually possible; if not, a second working, independent of the first, is at least always possible. It may be said, 'Train the child to absolute correctness the first time.' "' Stone' believes that all work should be checked.,
16 citations
TL;DR: Shifting approaches to traditional serials workflow activities, including check-in, claiming, binding, and shelf storage, in light of expanded electronic access are discussed.
Abstract: Since electronic journals have become the preferred method for accessing the journal literature, the next logical step is for librarians to carefully evaluate traditional staff activities still focused on the maintenance of shrinking print journal collections. This column discusses shifting approaches to traditional serials workflow activities, including check-in, claiming, binding, and shelf storage, in light of expanded electronic access. The author conducted a brief survey of academic health sciences libraries in the South Central chapter of the Medical Library Association to determine if traditional serials duties were still being maintained and to what extent. The results of the survey are discussed with some recommendations for the future.
8 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors of the laryngoscope brought to light by Clifford and Berry were criticised for attempting to re-invent the wheel of the wheel, and they suggested that there is a sound reason that this existing technology could not be employed to power a laryungoscope for remote communities especially given the experience there already is with this wind-up technology.
Abstract: I congratulate authors Clifford and Berry on bringing to light their prototype laryngoscope, but I fear that they may be attempting to re-invent the wheel [1]. In the early 1990s, Trevor Baylis, invented an apparatus that allowed a radio to be charged with a winding mechanism [2]. Since it came to the market in 1996 the technology has been adapted for use in numerous devices, among them torches of various sizes. Bright white LEDs can be powered for up to 60 min on a 1-min wind [3]. I assume that there is a sound reason that this existing technology could not be employed to power a laryngoscope for remote communities especially given the experience there already is with this wind-up technology.
7 citations
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, three academic librarians, a library administrator, a serials librarian, and a collection development librarian discuss pressing serials issues as they plan for a move to a new library building.
Abstract: Three academic librarians, a library administrator, a serials librarian, and a collection development librarian, discuss pressing serials issues as they plan for a move to a new library building. Professional perspectives on serials are juxtaposed as they grapple with issues such as limited storage for paper journals, rising costs of serials, and problems related to serials check-in, e-resources, and document delivery.
6 citations