“MARC Holdings Conversion: Now That We’re Here, What Do We Do?” recorded by Patricia Howe

This is a report of the session presented at the 2008 NASIG Conference by Steven C. Shadle (moderator) and Siôn Romaine, Frieda Rosenberg, Ted Schwitzner, and Naomi Young (presenters).

Presenters for this strategy session covered some of the benefits of using the MARC Format for Holdings Data. They also provided tips for planning a conversion project and discussed the outcomes, both the expected and the unexpected. The report wraps up with a lengthy list of “lessons learned.”

This conference report appears in The Serials Librarian, vol. 56 (2009), pages 168-180. It will also be available to NASIG members on the NASIG Web site.

Serials Holdings Workshop - Call for Trainers

CALL FOR TRAINERS

A train-the-trainer session for the Serials Cataloging Cooperative Training Program (SCCTP) Serial Holdings workshop will be held in conjunction with the ALA Annual conference in Chicago on Friday, July 10, 2009. The session will be held from 8:30-5:00 and will include modeling of selected course materials as well as training tips.

Requirements:
Trainers should have experience using the MARC Format for Holdings Data (MFHD), familiarity with serials, and some training experience. Trainers will be expected to be available to give a minimum of two workshops per year. The holdings course is designed to be given by a single trainer or a pair of trainers using PowerPoint, a trainee manual, and hands-on exercises.

Costs:
There is no cost for the train-the-trainer session. Your institution will be responsible for travel, lodging and per diem costs while you are attending the training. Training materials will be provided online for printing free of charge.

For more information on the SCCTP program, see http://www.loc.gov/acq/conser/scctp/scctp-home.html

Application Process: If you are interested in becoming a trainer for this workshop, please send an email to CONSER Program email address conser@loc.gov by March 20, 2009 with the following information:

1) Your name, title, mailing and email addresses and telephone and fax numbers.

2) A brief description of your experience in MARC Format for Holdings Data (MFHD), your experience with cataloging serials, and your experience with providing cataloging or other training

3) Names of three references who can attest to your experience and training ability

Selection of participants:
When choosing participants for the train-the-trainer session, selectors may wish to consult with the applicant's supervisor or another reference who can provide helpful details on qualifications. A maximum of 15 people
in the session may limit acceptance.

The Serials Cataloging Cooperative Training Program (SCCTP) requires a statement of support from the prospective trainer's home institution if the participant will be using official time to prepare, travel, and instruct at another institution. When the applicant becomes a trainer, the group sponsoring the SCCTP event will cover the travel and lodging expenses of the instructor, and optionally, may offer an honorarium.

Confirmation Required for Course Attendance:
Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will be placed in the training session. Accordingly, you should not make any travel arrangements before receiving official confirmation. The registrar will acknowledge all applications as they arrive. The registrar will notify each potential candidate of the response to their application by March 27, 2009, sending confirmation notices and additional details to participants.

Please direct any questions to:
Les Hawkins
CONSER Coordinator
Library of Congress
lhaw@loc.gov
202-707-5185

via SERIALST

MARC Coding for Serials

The North American Serials Interest Group has published a new NASIGuide, "MARC Coding for Serials." The guide was written by Elizabeth McDonald and Beverly Geckle and "focuses on how serial MARC records differ from records for other formats."

A complete listing of NASIGuides is available online and includes others of interest to serials catalogers, such as:

• "ISSN" by Donna Packer
  
• "Serials Holdings" by Frieda Rosenberg
  
• "Title Changes" by Michele Seikel
  

"Evaluating and Improving the Presentation of Serials Information in the Online Catalog" by Lori J. Terrill

Abstract:

Many factors should be considered when evaluating how serial publications are presented in online library catalogs. Both patrons and library employees utilize the catalog to locate serial titles and then must be able to determine which formats are available, as well as which issues are available in each format. Consideration of both the recording and display of serials data should be part of a thorough evaluation. This paper presents an outline for an evaluation focusing on meeting user needs. It also provides advice based on the experience of undertaking a successful project at the University of Wyoming Libraries.

This article can be found in Library Resources & Technical Services, vol. 52, issue 3 (July 2008), pages 192-204.

Survey: Serial Holdings Statements

Jean Sibley of Mississippi State University is conducting a brief survey on the use of serials holdings statements.

I am doing a study on holdings statements for
serials - the way they display in the OPAC and
their usefulness to patrons considering the time
and effort expended by Serials staff to update
them. If you would, please take a few moments to
answer a short survey (10 questions)  about how
your library creates and maintains holdings
statements.  Here is the link.

Your participation is completely voluntary and
the survey responses will be anonymous. Results
of this survey will be used in a research
article on current trends in holdings statements.

I would greatly appreciate your response. Feel
free to contact me with any questions you may
have.

Thanks, Jean

B. Jean Sibley
Assistant Professor/Serials Librarian
Mitchell Memorial Library
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS 39762
662-325-7666

via SERIALST

“Building Connections: A Review of the Serials Literature 2004 through 2005” by Cecilia Genereux

Genereux covers three major aspects of serials trends in her literature review for 2004-2005: cost, management, and access. Serials catalogers will be particularly interested in her coverage of access issues. Specific topics addressed include: FRBR and serials; new rules for major and minor title changes; aggregator-neutral records for online serials; changing roles and responsibilities of serials catalogers brought on by the proliferation of e-journals; cataloging of new types of continuing resources such as zines, e-zines, and blogs; and serials holdings records. As with any literature review, readers will want to consult the original works to learn more about the topics.

Genereux’s article can be found in Library Resources & Technical Services, vol. 51, no. 4 (Oct. 2007), pages 293-304.