ACQNET v6n007 (February 27, 1996) URL = http://www.infomotions.com/serials/acqnet/acqnet-v6n007 ISSN: 1057-5308 *************** ACQNET, Vol. 6, No. 7, February 27, 1996 ======================================== (1) FROM: Cynthia Coulter SUBJECT: ALA Midwinter Report: ALCTS Creative Ideas in Technical Services Discussion Group (118 lines) (2) FROM: Doug Kariel SUBJECT: Serial encumbrances (42 lines) (3) FROM: Alex Bloss SUBJECT: Deposit accounts (21 lines) (4) FROM: Lois Wall SUBJECT: Orders using EDI (20 lines) (1)--------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 09 Feb 1996 08:23:38 -0500 (CDT) From: Cynthia Coulter (Univ. of N. Iowa) Subject: ALCTS Creative Ideas in Technical Services Discussion Group report ALCTS CREATIVE IDEAS IN TECHNICAL SERVICES DISCUSSION GROUP, MIDWINTER 1996 Approximately 95 persons attended the ALCTS Creative Ideas in Technical Services Discussion Group meeting in San Antonio, Texas at ALA MidWinter in January 1996. The four topics discussed included "Cross-Training," "Electronic Journals: Their Acquisition and Retention," "The Interface between Technical Services and Library Systems," and "The Impact of Electronic Resources on Technical Services." By far, the most popular topic was the final one listed, with just under half of the attenders participating in the discussion. Following please find a summary report of the discussion for each topic. A fuller report will be found in an upcoming issue of _Technical Services Quarterly_. The most common complaint found in the evaluations for previous meetings of this group is that participants wanted more time for the discussions. Efforts to find another time slot have proven difficult, so this year's co-chairs tried something different. Instead of using the last 10 minutes of the hour to allow each table to report on its discussion, the co-chairs announced they would send out a summary of the discussions to the same bulletin boards and electronic lists in which they had originally advertised the meeting. The evaluations seemed to indicate that the participants enjoyed having the additional time and did not regret the reporting session. As a result, this same technique will be used again for the New York Annual Conference. The participants in the discussion on "Cross-training" noted several highlights, including the fact that many different types and methods of cross-training exist and that many efforts labeled as "cross-training" would more appropriately be called "cross- staffing." They felt it was a more important concept now than in previous years due to downsizing of library staff. They also noted the fact that both interdepartmental and intradepartmental cross-training are equally important. Participants also noted the importance of documented procedures to aid in the training process. That process, they noted, could be a very formal process or could be established in an informal mode. The groups divided on their opinion of method of implementing cross-training. One group stressed the need to build consensus for a cross-training program within the staff, while the other group felt that it was important, and perhaps necessary, to mandate the implementation of cross-training. Such diversion in opinion might reflect more on specific situations, rather than a rule to apply to all cross-training. The groups that discussed the "Acquisition and Retention Issues of Electronic Journals" felt the question of how to make the electronic journals accessible to the library's patrons a very important one. Both groups agreed that the Web seemed the most logical site for those journals. Most librarians reported that they used the same procedures for electronic titles as they did for print titles. However, they also noted the constraints placed on access by publishers. Sometimes the form of access can differ by the publisher offering the source. Additionally, they indicated that licensing, with its unique problems, make the purchasing process more problematic. Many of the librarians discussing the retention questions have just begun to grapple with that problem and very few could report decisions made. The question of archiving, the method to use, the person/s with the responsibility for archiving, and many other questions related to retention still remain to resolve. Participants also noted that the question of weeding will not go away in an electronic environment and that new methods will have to be devised to monitor usage of electronic journals to aid in deciding what to weed. Those groups which discussed "The Interface Between Technical Services and Library Systems" stated that the interface and relationship between these two departments can vary depending upon the library's online system. It can also depend upon how "savvy" the technical services staff are in respect to systems issues and how much systems staff know of bibliographic formats and technical services processes. The participants of this discussion also determined that communication between the departments should be improved and formalized in order to achieve success. The systems staff need help in developing priorities because their work is often driven by software releases and upgrades. There is also a need for improved documentation. The interface between technical services and systems staff continues to be developed and shaped as libraries begin to build and increase their systems staff. Those groups which discussed "Impact of Electronic Resources on Technical Services" determined that libraries are at different stages in the process of cataloging electronic resources, in deciding what to catalog, and in maintaining URLs for World Wide Web sources. The selection responsibilities are being handled by teams, by committees, or by bibliographers. Only a few libraries are currently maintaining URLs in the local catalogs. This work is being done by various library staff members and some libraries are using link checking software. Most of the participants' libraries had WWW home pages established. Again the staff involved in the process varies among the libraries. Libraries are at a transitional stage in terms of cataloging electronic resources because traditional cataloging does not fit with the new electronic resources. Cataloging practices and MARC standards are evolving to accommodate these new resources. Electronic resources will continue to have an impact on technical services in the future. The organization and service of these resources will continue to become more developed as libraries have an opportunity to study them further. Cynthia M. Coulter Marilyn J. Mercado Co-chairs ALCTS Creative Ideas in Technical Services Discussion Group 1995-1996 (2)--------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 19 Feb 1996 23:54:29 -0600 (MDT) From: Doug Kariel (Athabasca Univ.) Subject: Serial encumbrances PLEASE FORGIVE THE CROSS POST OF THIS MESSAGE. It was earlier posted to the INNOPAC list. Greetings, We would like to know if any of you encumber serial orders especially on INNOVACQ [the earlier version of INNOPAC]. Our practice is not to encumber serials or standing orders. The primary thing that we are wanting is some way of determining in advance, how much is likely to be coming in during the year. We can easily look at the amount we paid out for the previous fiscal year and we know what we have paid to date. What we don't know is what is the value of serial orders which we haven't paid to date for the current fiscal year and how much we are on the hook for as a result of new orders which we have placed but for which we haven't received an invoice. Any assistance that any of you can give would be greatly appreciated. P.S. We have the original INNOVACQ system and box. For ACQNET: Is it general practice to encumber serials and standing orders or not regardless of automated system? Any other info or practice that you do in your library would be helpful. Thanks in advance. Doug ***************************************************************** Doug Kariel E-mail: dougk@admin.athabascau.ca Head, Technical Services and Systems Phone: (403) 675-6261 Athabasca University Library Fax: (403) 675-6477 P.O. Box 10,000 Athabasca, Alberta Canada T9S 1A1 ***************************************************************** (3)--------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 13:48:43 -0600 (CST) From: Alex Bloss (Univ. of Ill.-Chicago) Subject: Deposit accounts I have a proposal before me from a re-engineering team to establish deposit accounts with our major approval plan and firm order vendors, in which a major part of our anticipated yearly expenditures with these vendors would be paid in advance. Does any ACQNET subscriber do such a thing, and what are the pros and cons? I am inclined against the proposal but would like other opinions. Thanks in advance. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Alex Bloss Acquisitions Librarian University of Illinois at Chicago University Library (M/C 234) Box 8198 Chicago, IL 60680 Internet: Alex.Bloss@UIC.EDU Phone: 312-996-2706 Fax: 312-413-0424 Bitnet: U59675@UICVM ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (4)-------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 17:52:42 -0500 (EST) From: Lois Wall (Mohawk College) Subject: Orders using EDI Do you know of any libraries who are sending orders over the Internet using EDI? [Ed. note: EDI gurus, please respond to this person!] My apologies if this has already been discussed in this list. I am hoping to get some responses so I can demonstrate the value of subscribing to a listserv to a class of Library and Information Technician students studying acquisitions. Thank you. Lois Wall Phone: 905-575-2309 Library & Information Fax: 905-575-2126 Technician Program E-mail: walll@operatns.mohawkc.on.ca Mohawk College, P.O. Box 2034, Hamilton, ON L8N 3T2 ****** END OF FILE ****** ACQNET, Vol. 6, No. 7 ****** END OF FILE ******