We still add the date stamp. We like to have a record of when we received the issue right on the issue.

The date stamp also shows ownership. Not that many issues walk anymore.

Also occasionally the issue gets stamped but doesn't get checked in. When we discover the issue missing and look
for it on the shelf we have the correct date received.

Another reason to stamp is that sometimes the publisher changes the numbering or has
a double issue. The date stamp makes it easier to sort out the record.
Hope this helps.
Wilma

Wilma L. Reeder
Serials Manager & Government Document Technician
Snowden Library – Lycoming College
700 College Place
Williamsport PA 17701
Phone: (570)321-4089
FAX: (570)321-4090
reeder@lycoming.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Matthew Michaels
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2013 7:47 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Date Stamping Check-ins

Hello All,

I am curious whether your libraries are still adding date stamps to incoming serials.  Now that Aleph (and other collection catalog software) seems to be more reliable, do you still date stamp your serials at check-in?  What are your thoughts about provenance and archiving the collections?  Is it important to have the date right on the item or is the computer record enough?

I am looking into the future, say 10-30 years from now (and more often into the next hour) when a patron or faculty member asks me "when did the library receive this issue?"  Or more recently, "Is this the most current issue?".  We have some titles that only produce an issue every 1 or 2 years like Bloom.  I like to show a patron or colleague when the "current" issue was last received by just using the issue at hand, and not having to run to the computer.   I may be old-fashioned (at 48 years old) but I believe in hands-on service.

What does is your check-in policy regarding date stamping new and gift serials?  Curious minds like know.

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