John raises an interesting point which my boss likes to expound from time to
time. Just because it is possible to automate something does not
necessarily mean that it is an improvement in the process nor that it is a
more effective or efficient way of doing the task. An activity that can be
done in a simple manual way should always be considered when they are in
fact both effective and efficient.
We are now using an online version of our library procurement form which is
completed by the requestors. But the administration still requires physical
signatures, so all we've done in effect is provide unlimited access to
copies of the form but we've not really automated the process, and as the
form is quite unwieldy to use most users still just print it out and
complete it with pen & ink due to the many reasons listed by John in the
email sent earlier. We very often do this also with forms provided by
vendors on Internet. It's just easier.
Joanna Tousley-Escalante
* Head, TSU
* VIC Library - IAEA
* Vienna, Austria
* j.tousley_at_iaea.org
* 431 2600-22624
> ----------
> From: ELEANOR COOK[SMTP:COOKEI_at_appstate.edu]
> Sent: Sunday, 10 September 2000 17:18
> To: acqnet-l_at_listproc.appstate.edu
> Subject: ACQNET: paper vs. e-order forms
>
> Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2000 12:40:19 -0400
> From: "John P. Abbott" <AbbottJP_at_conrad.appstate.edu>
> Subject: Online forms for selectors
>
> Marty-
>
> I think online forms/slips from vendors represent little/no progress
> forward for bibliographers. Having previewed our jobber's and others
> e-forms, I see the following problems:
>
> 1. Not portable. I can bundle a stack of paper forms/slips into my
> briefcase and work them in the car (as a passenger), on the plane, in
> meetings, or at the kitchen table after the baby is in bed.
>
> 2. Working speed. I can scan the paper forms more quickly than the
> e-form. Maybe this is a practiced art and I can be retrained, but other
> variables mitigate against this, see below.
>
> 3. Coding speed. I can scribble fund codes or go back and change a fund
> code on the paper form more rapidly than entering into the e-system.
>
> 4. Faculty communication. I can drop the paper form in the campus mail
> to a faculty with a note as easily if not more easily than I can cut &
> paste the form into an email to a faculty member. The e-advantage is
> that I do not send off the original.
>
> 5. Decision-making with many data points at one time. I can easily
> group the paper forms on my desk or kitchen table into different stacks
> by purchasing priorities, questions to look up later, price, etc. This
> is essential for how most CD folk work. Books are selected w/in a
> greater context and paper slips allow the assembling of that context
> right in front of my face. E-forms cannot be sorted like a large deck
> of cards; they are by nature serial and linear.
>
> 6. Delayed submission. I can easily hold the paper forms, in the
> groups from #5 above, for months (until the end of the FY) and then
> submit when monies are avaiable.
>
> These are one half-dozen reasons CD people should be skeptical of
> e-forms.
>
> There are indeed a few advantages for the forms: speed of communication
> between CD and Acq and then to the vendor; no need to handle paper; and
> savings in material, postage, and effort by the jobber. But like the
> 3x5 card there are some applications that are not as elegantly handled
> by digital means as a simple slip of paper.
>
> I suspect jobbers will begin charging for paper forms vs. free online
> access. This seems to be the tenor of the Blackwell/Academic and B&T/YBP
> principals. If the charge is punative or prorata, we will likely tighten
> our forms/slip profile to decrease the number of paper slips. This will
> work against the serendipity in discovering and ordering and will
> decrease our form/slip ordering volume, hurting the jobbers' income.
>
> E-forms deserve a critical look before adopting.
>
> my 2 cts, John
>
>
> --
> John P. Abbott
> Coordinator, Collection Development
> ASU Libraries
> Appalachian State University
> Boone, NC 28608-2026
>
> phone: 828-262-2821
> fax: 828-262-3001
> email: abbottjp_at_appstate.edu
>
Received on Mon Sep 11 2000 - 03:19:54 EDT