2011 MOBIUS Conference

The twelfth annual MOBIUS Conference was held June 7–9, 2011, at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri. The MOBIUS consortium of Missouri is currently composed of fifty-nine academic libraries, two public libraries, and the Missouri State Library. The conference offered various opportunities, including a keynote address by Meredith Farkas and a networking dessert session on the first night. The second day featured six concurrent sessions, each having six different presentations, along with delicious food, generous door prizes, and the chance to meet with vendors. The third day consisted of four different four-hour post-conference training sessions. Presentations are available for download from the conference Web site.¹     

Serials Spoken Here - Reports of Conferences,Institutes, and Seminars

Abstract

This column includes reports on sessions from the American Library Association Midwinter Conference 2019, with a report on how libraries can be part of a shared community with developers and users through the use of future of libraries, is open (FOLIO) library services platform and a report reflecting on future technological developments. Additionally, conference reports from the 14th Annual Electronic Resources & Libraries Conference, which includes reports on implementing troubleshooting training programs for public services staff and using budget cuts as an opportunity to generate goodwill. The remaining reports are from American Library Association Annual Conference 2019, which includes a report about the parallels between managing campaigns and managing an integrated library system (ILS) migration, how to improve a collection development plan with resources about Cheyenne and Arapaho people, and an exploration of the challenges of hosting student and faculty journals.     

Serials Spoken Here

Abstract

A report on the 77th Potomac Technical Processing Librarians conference held October 5, 2001. Serials Review 2002; 28:151–152.     

Serials Spoken Here

Abstract

This article describes the concepts of Web 2.0 and Lib 2.0 and how they can be applied to libraries and in a library environment.     

Tools of the Serials Trade

Abstract

Many university libraries are facing budget flat-lines or reductions. While finding ways to reduce or reallocate a libraries budget is not new, the planning processes within this article merit consideration, especially for small and medium-sized libraries. Librarians must build and maintain strong relationships with constituencies and be forthright in sharing information so that joint decisions can be made. Developing a strategic plan to address the budget shortfalls and having an effective communication plan are keys to the successful outcome of any budget reduction or reallocation process. This article details the strategies and implementation of one university library.     

CORAL User Group Meeting at NC Serials 2019

Abstract

This article reports on the CORAL User Group meeting at the NC Serials 2019 conference. This was the first CORAL user group meeting to take place at the NC Serials conference. The speakers provided updates from CORAL committees and highlighted new features in the most recent CORAL release. They also shared how CORAL has been used in NC State University Libraries and East Carolina University to support their e-resource workflow management.     

Serials Control for the Italian Union Catalog of Serials

Abstract

European and Italian libraries are strongly involved in efforts to facilitate access to European information resources. The Italian union catalogue of serials has evolved from a traditional catalog to a sophisticated resource that provides access to serials services. Serials control is the most recent service of the union catalog with features for end users and professional staff. The software is BASIS Techlib by ID Technology (Italy), affinity partner of Open Text (USA). The ability to customize features presents a very satisfactory, easy-to-use product that might be considered interesting for union catalogs in other countries. Serials Review 2003; 29:169–178.     

Serials Clutter in Online Catalogs

Abstract

Finding and deciphering serials records in online catalogs is a challenge to many library users. To understand and analyze these challenges, the author conducted searches for scientific journal titles in the online catalogs of Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) libraries. The first part of the study measures the difficulty of retrieving serial records from online catalogs comparing one-word versus multiple-word titles. The second part analyzes displays for complexity by measuring the length of the complete record and the length of the holdings statements. These data show the complexity of displays and indicate the potential confusion that these displays may induce in library users.     

Tools of the Serials Trade

Abstract

The primary purpose of information services has always been and will always be to reduce to a minimum the amount of time required by local users to obtain access to that information they need to do their work.¹     

Management of Electronic Serials in Academic Libraries: The Results of an Online Survey

Abstract

This article presents the results of an online survey of academic librarians conducted in 2011 on the topic of electronic serials management. Since online journals had by 2011 become a major part of academic library serials collections, a central objective of this survey was to explore whether this had led to any degree of standardization in online serials management procedures across academic libraries. The focus of the survey was generally on issues affecting technical services, specifically exploring the impact of electronic serials on collection development, library staffing, and serials management tools. The responses to the survey did not reflect any significant level of uniformity among these libraries in any of these areas, suggesting that libraries primarily take into account the needs of their own institutions when formulating procedures for managing online serials.     

Serials Staffing for the Twenty-First Century and Beyond

Abstract

This article provides an overview of the technical services issues relating to the future of serials staffing, particularly for serials catalogers. Trends in cataloging procedures, technical services reorganizations, and the changing roles of professional and paraprofessional employees affect present and future responsibilities of serials work. The author also examines major technological innovations that have affected staffing needs, including journals in electronic format, vendor-supplied holdings data, automatic generation of bibliographic records, and the potential implications of proposed serials cataloging rule changes on the way in which serials will be managed in libraries. Serials Review 2002; 28:195–200.     

Serials spoken here: reports of conferences,institutes, and seminars

Abstract

Reports on the Ohio Valley Group of Technical Services Librarians (OVGTSL) Annual Conference, the April 2004 New England Technical Services Librarians (NETSL) Conference, the 2004 Acquisitions Institute at Timberline Lodge, and the 2004 Conference of the North American Serials Interest Group (NASIG).

Reports are from four conferences held in various parts of the United States and cover a wide range of topics. The Ohio Valley Group of Technical Services Librarians program emphasized the relationship between technical and public services. Education, both formal and continuing, was the theme for the New England Technical Services Librarians. Timberline Lodge hosted another Acquisitions Institute featuring sessions on new discoveries. The report on the 2004 North American Serials Group Annual Conference allows Conference Student Grant Award winner Chris Brady to include some personal reflections along with summaries of the sessions he attended.     

Serial Joy and Serial Sorrow: The Experience of the Paraprofessional Serials Manager

Abstract

Paraprofessionals play a major role in the management of serials operations in libraries. Nine paraprofessional serials managers responded to an inquiry on the SERIALST online discussion list in which they shared their impressions on several issues relating to their role, status, motivation, and general perceptions about their work. For many years, there has been an ongoing debate relating to the role of paraprofessionals in libraries. Many library paraprofessionals have advanced their careers in the field of serials and have become managers of high-level operations. This Balance Point column explores the experiences of some of these paraprofessional serials managers.     

Electronic Journal Forum: CONSER Summit on Serials in the Digital Environment

Abstract

The CONSER Summit on Serials in the Digital Environment was held March 18–19, 2004. Attendees represented all library service areas, commercial information services, and standards development. The program included panel discussions and facilitated breakout sessions that provided specific recommendations for shaping CONSER and the Program for Cooperative Cataloging efforts in providing metadata for electronic resources.     

The Effects of E-journal Management Tools and Services on Serials Cataloging

Abstract

E-journal management tools and services such as MARC record services, A-to-Z lists, and link resolvers are changing e-journal cataloging. This column explores these changes in the academic environment through interviews with ten librarians representing eight universities. Three areas of change in serials cataloging are explored: (1) changes to the MARC record, including how libraries are adding/creating MARC records for their catalogs, the number and type of MARC records being created and linking within MARC bibliographic and holdings records; (2) the manner in which serials catalogers are being informed of changes; and (3) the evolving role of the serials cataloger. Future trends and advice for evolving workflow practices conclude the discussion.     

Electronic journals and the paradigm shift: 1995 Spring forum of the Canadian Serials Industry Systems Advisory Committee

Abstract

Since 2006, Research Online, the University of Wollongong's open access institutional repository has utilised Bepress' Digital Commons software to make available published research outputs and digital theses. This article discusses the outcomes of recent academic demand for its use as a publishing tool of university journals and conference proceedings. The Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice is provided as an example. Digital Commons includes the editorial management software, EdiKit, which assists in managing submissions, editorial functions, and peer review. Also considered are changes to scholarly communication patterns arising out of the new open access, electronic only, publication regimes.     

In Order to Form a More Perfect Union … List of Serials: A Report of the Workshop

Abstract

Reports from the 18th North American Serials Interest Group Conference held in June 2003 and the annual meeting of the American Society for Information Science and Technology held in October 2003.

The two reports in this column describe the experience of a conference student grant winner at the 2003 North American Serials Interest Group (NASIG) Conference at Portland State University (PSU) and six plenary sessions from the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIST) held in Long Beach, CA. NASIG has not been held in the Northwest since the group was in Vancouver in 1996. Many attendees enjoyed spending time in Powell's bookshop. I'm sure the Portland economy was booming with so many librarians in town. Because there were no residence halls at PSU, delegates stayed in local hotels—quite a change for long-time NASIG members. Lisa Bowman focuses on this theme of change. Rafal Kasprowski presents a very thorough and fascinating report on ASIST sessions dealing with the humanizing of technology. While not specifically aimed at serialists, we can all appreciate how this topic fits into our daily routines where technology seems to rule, or maybe it only rules as much as we let it. Nonetheless, Kasprowski covers a lot of excellent research on new directions in system design as well as several theoretical and methodological approaches for more effective information service. Social and cultural analysis is important, and emotion can even play a key role in user interaction with systems. There is a lot yet to learn and understand about user behavior, and the ASIST conference has really put together an excellent series of presentations.     

Finding the Delicate Balance: Serials Assessment at the University of Nevada,Las Vegas

Abstract

In the spring of 2003 the University Libraries at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), conducted a Serials Assessment Project which combined technology with effective communication between library users and subject librarians to successfully identify journals that could be cancelled, should cancellations be necessary due to budgetary constraints. Although the library had conducted similar assessments in 1998 and 2000, a fresh look at past assessments resulted in an innovative approach. The project and experience proved to be tremendously positive for both the library and its users. This article describes the planning and process by which the UNLV libraries designed and conducted the 2003 review of UNLV's serials collection, comparing it to methods used in the two previous assessments.     

The Public Service Functions of Serials

Abstract

Nine serials librarians describe their experiences and offer advice on achieving tenure, promotion, or reappointment. The librarians represent a variety of academic institutions and stages of career, from untenured new librarians to administrators at the rank of full professor. Despite unique insights based on their different experience levels, professional positions, and institutional promotion and tenure requirements, the librarians share common opinions on how best to achieve success in an academic position.