----------(1)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 09:05:09 -0400
From: Frank Sadowski <fsadowski@RCL.LIB.ROCHESTER.EDU>
Subject: Re: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (JEWEL RUCKER)

Counting microforms is indeed problematic.  Some of the agencies to which
we report ask for titles, some want pieces, some want volume equivalents.
As it is, we count titles and pieces.  Knowing how many pieces one
receives is useful in planning for the number of microform cabinets one
will need.  Also, microfilms are barcoded and labelled, so knowing the
number of pieces can indicate how many more barcodes and labels will be
needed.

-------------------------

Frank E. Sadowski Jr. Principal Cataloger River Campus Libraries
University of Rochester Rochester, NY 14627-0055

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 10:02:22 -0400
From: Jewel Rucker <JRucker@WVUTECH.EDU>
Subject: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (JEWEL RUCKER)

DOES ANYONE COUNT MICROFICHE PIECES WHEN DOING STATISTICS? IS IT A
STATISTIC YOU FIND REQUESTED AT ALL? THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS DONE LONG
BEFORE I BEGAN WORKING IN SERIALS AND I'VE KEPT IT UP EVERY YEAR.

ANY THOUGHTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS.

A. JEWEL RUCKER
PERIODICALS
VINING LIBRARY
WVU INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
MONTGOMERY, WV 25136
EMAIL:  JRUCKER@wvutech.edu

----------(2)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 09:11:02 -0400
From: Jane Wang <wangc1@UOFS.EDU>
Subject: Re: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (JEWEL RUCKER)

Hi Jewel,

Years ago I was asked to come up with a total count of our microfiche
pieces.  What we did was to count how many sheets are in one inch of
microfiche.  We counted the fiche and get 160 pieces.  Then we measured
the length of  microfiche in the drawers.  And just do the multiple math
count.  This is not the exact figure but we are happy with the result of
the least effort.
Good luck!

Jane Wang
Serials Librarian

----------(3)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 08:07:13 -0600
From: Dana Belcher <dbelcher@MAILCLERK.ECOK.EDU>
Subject: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (JEWEL RUCKER) -Reply

We count issues (not sheets) and add the count to our in-house use count.  The
counts are then broken down by academic dept. and put into our materials
allocation formula during budget time.

Dana Belcher, Periodicals/Acquisitions Librarian
East Central University
Linscheid Library
1100 E. 14th
Ada, OK 74820
580-310-5564

----------(4)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 09:23:10 -0400
From: Amy Wise <aew@CANES.GSW.EDU>
Subject: Re: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (JEWEL RUCKER)

Jewel--we keep a count of the number of microfiche checked in-this figure
is used on a yearly ALS report.
Also, we count the number of microfiche envelopes used each day--do you
know if anyone still does that ? We haven't had a need for it on any
report, but I still keep doing it since it was done in the past.
Thanks, Amy

Amy Wise aew@canes.gsw.edu
Collection Development Assistant
James E. Carter Library
Georgia Southwestern State University
800 Wheatley Street
Americus, GA  31709
(912) 931-2261

----------(5)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 09:28:59 -0400
From: "Thompson, Jane (THOMPSJL)" <THOMPSJL@UCMAIL.UC.EDU>
Subject: Re: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (JEWEL RUCKER)

We continue to count because the number is requested by some of the surveys
we contribute to. I have found it useful to go through copies of every
library survey we contribute statistics to, and record all of the questions.
You will find that some surveys will ask for different takes on some parts
of your collection, so it is useful to collect stats the way you are going
to be asked for them. And of course, keep copies of every survey you
complete!
Jane Thompson
U. Cincinnati Health Sciences Library
jane.thompson@uc.edu

----------(6)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 08:32:10 -0500
From: "Skwor, Jeanette" <skworj@UWGB.EDU>
Subject: Re: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (JEWEL RUCKER)

We've not gotten any microfiche in the past year or two, but I always did
count it (and still would) as periodicals received.

Jeanette L. Skwor
Serials Dept. - Cofrin Library
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
2420 Nicolet Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311

Phone:  (920) 465-2670         Fax: (920) 465-2783

----------(7)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 09:28:59 -0400
From: "Thompson, Jane (THOMPSJL)"<THOMPSJL@UCMAIL.UC.EDU>
To: SEREDIT@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE
PIECES (JEWEL RUCKER)

We continue to count because the number is requested by some of the surveys
we contribute to. I have found it useful to go through copies of every
library survey we contribute statistics to, and record all of the questions.
You will find that some surveys will ask for different takes on some parts
of your collection, so it is useful to collect stats the way you are going
to be asked for them. And of course, keep copies of every survey you
complete!
Jane Thompson
U. Cincinnati Health Sciences Library
jane.thompson@uc.edu

----------(8)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 07:38:42 -0700
From: "Rogers, Margarett" <MROGERS@OCLL.CO.ORANGE.CA.US>
Subject: Re: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (John D. Crissinger)

There are standards for counting microfiche.  6 cards = 1 bound volume.  Our
library counts the number of fiche for every subscription and our total is
close to 1,000,000 fiche which would equal 166,667 volumes.  We do this not
only for our statistics but for insurance purposes.

----------(9)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 07:39:52 -0700
From: frusti <frusti@SPAWAR.NAVY.MIL>
Subject: Re: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (John D. Crissinger)

Wouldn't counting "sheets" of microfiche would be close to the equivalent of
counting chapters of a book? I cannot see where it would be a meaningful
statistic. Counting titles, or envelopes (equating to volumes) would be much
more in line with what is done with every other format.

Just a personal opinion.

Fern Frusti
Cataloging/Serials Librarian
SPAWAR Technical Library
San Diego, CA
Frusti@spawar.navy.mil

----------(10_
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 11:17:15 -0400
From: Kim Maxwell <kmaxwell@MIT.EDU>
Subject: Re: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (JEWEL RUCKER)

ARL Libraries are required to report number of microfiche sheets in their
annual statistics as well. I spoke with Martha Kyrillidou, Senior Program
Officer for Statistics & Measurement at the Association of Research
Libraries about this topic.  She has this to offer:

Physical count has been the most common form of counting in libraries -
which means this is the way most libraries have been doing it.
Bibliographic counts are very important though too.

Yes, it is probably tradition that has us keep requesting physical counts
in the ARL Statistics.  How each library defines physical (i.e. item level
counting), I am sure it differs slightly from setting to setting. Most
libraries
should have both (physical and bibliographic counts) readily available
through their OPAC.

*****

Counting is just something libraries do as a way of measuring
collections.  Since we have done it historically, we then have a way to
compare across time.  Of course, this kind of counting doesn't address
quality at all, only quantity, but that's a whole other topic....
________________________________________
Kim Maxwell
Serials Acquisitions Librarian
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT Libraries, Room 14E-210
77 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
phone: 1-617-253-7028
fax:   1-617-253-2464
email: kmaxwell@mit.edu

----------(11)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 11:34:43 -0400
From: Cecilia Leathem <cleathem@LIBRARY.MIAMI.EDU>
Subject: Re: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (John D. Crissinger)

We create an item-level record for each "volume" we receive.  In that same
item record we also have a field where we record the number of sheets or
units.

Cecilia Leathem
Head, Cataloging Dept.
Otto G. Richter Library
University of Miami

----------(12)
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 10:58:15 -0500
From: "Edelen, Joe" <jedelen@usd.edu>
Subject: RE: CURIOUS ABOUT COUNTING MICROFICHE PIECES (JEWEL RUCKER)

We count it because our Hegis (or some such) reports require us to report
and the director wants it.

Joe Edelen
University of South Dakota