Little Magazine Interview Index 2002

Abstract

This is the seventeenth issue of our annual index of interviews, compiled from currently received journal titles in the Sukov Collection of Little Magazines, Department of Special Collections, Memorial Library, University of Wisconsin–Madison. The list for 2002 includes 645 interviews with a mix of well-known and new writers and artists. The slight increase in number over past installments reaffirms the importance of a format that allows writers to speak freely about their work. As previously, the index follows a list of journal titles currently received by the library, but not included in the thirty-eighth edition of the International Directory of Little Magazines and Small Presses (Dustbooks). The titles are organized alphabetically by country of publication, with addresses for further reference. Many of the titles now have their own Websites. Given their often ephemeral nature, we do not attempt to provide valid URLs for those sites. Serials Review 2003; 29:127–136.     

Little Magazine Interview Index 2003

Abstract

Reports on the 2005 Potomac Technical Processing Librarians Conference, Annapolis, Maryland, and the 25th Annual Charleston Conference in South Carolina.     

Harper's Magazine

An analysis of the performance of five major review periodicals showed that School Library Journal and Booklist were most likely to have reviewed both a large percentage of total juvenile publication and those books singled out by the 1972–1974 and 1978–1980 Notable Children's Books Committees; the New York Times Book Review was least likely to have done so. There was a decline in coverage of the selected titles by the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. Even so, Bulletin and Horn Book, as well as Booklist and SLJ, continued to do a good job of calling attention to better books.

Recent reviews appeared closer to the publication date of the book in question, with the time lag reduced in all but the New York Times, where it increased. Booklist's record of little more than a month was relatively impressive, with all other periodicals taking over two months or more, on the average. Each periodical showed tremendous internal inconsistency in promptness, however.

The longest reviews, on the average, were published in NYTBR, the shortest in Bulletin. Recent reviews in SLJ and Booklist were longer than those found for the earlier sample.

All but Horn Book reviews reflected increased critical attention in general. The practice of referring to other books and authors continued on a limited but definite scale for 1978–1980 titles. Attempts to predict readership were somewhat more likely to appear in the more recent issues of Booklist and Bulletin than earlier.

The use of volunteer reviewers by School Library Journal resulted in a multiplicity of reviewers (25 people). Horn Book and NYTBR utilized eight people each. Booklist and Bulletin relied on reviews prepared by fulltime staffers.

Opinions on general quality of the books examined continued to be basically consistent.     

Rethinking Periodical Indices to Expand Art Historical Research: A Case Study of Avalanche Magazine Index

Abstract

Avalanche Magazine, an artist magazine published in the 1970s, is a unique primary source document of the conceptual art scene. Replete with photographs, advertisements, artist interviews, and gossipy personal notices, it is a trove of insight into artistic practice in a highly experimental period. Nevertheless, it was never included in any visual art or humanities database index, leaving its content largely undiscoverable by traditional means. In an effort to remedy this situation, the authors built an open access website, Avalanche Magazine Index (http://avalancheindex.org), which indexes the entire contents of Avalanche. Like a traditional periodical index, Avalanche Magazine Index describes the content of the magazine rather than reproducing it in full text. However, unlike traditional indices, the website encompasses every component of the magazine—from interviews to advertisements—and attempts to identify each named artist, venue, exhibition, curator, and photographer. The exhaustive indexing works in concert with the relational database that underlies the site to reveal a network of relationships between and within the artistic communities of the era. This case study presents the rationale for indexing Avalanche Magazine, provides an overview of workflow, outlines the ways the project diverges from traditional indexes, reflects on the impact of open access on the project’s success, and proposes that the website is capable of generating new knowledge in and of itself.     

Little Magazines

Abstract

Technological demands significantly complicate the careers of librarians. Dynamic growth and changes in information technology plus the introduction of electronic journals into library collections create serious challenges in organizing and managing information and collections. The author examines the most frequently required and preferred qualifications and knowledge demands for a serials librarian. Based on job announcements in academic institutions from the years 1999–2001, the analysis reveals what new skills a person needs to manage electronic information and also suggests some professional development opportunities that improve competencies for serials librarians. Serials Review 2002; 28:33–37.