serials workflow summary BMACLENN@UVMVM.BITNET 22 Jul 1991 01:30 UTC
Thanks to everyone who responded to my question (of last month) Re. Serials workflow patterns in your institution. There were 10 responses (public and private) and the workflow patterns from each response was quite varied -- which makes them difficult to summarize in a short message. Nonetheless, here's an attempted summary and a brief list of sources for further reading. NOTE: No one took into account the size of their staff or collection (i.e., amount of staff time needed for processing, relative to volume of work or size of their serials collection). There was only one "integrated approach" (i.e., periodicals "from cradle to grave"), meaning ordering, cataloging, check-in, public services in one centralized location. All others have various configurations of responsibilities: - Serials Acquisitions separate from Public Services - Serials Acquis./Ordering with Public Services (3 responses) - Serials Dept. consisting of: Acquis./Cataloging/Bindery - Serials Dept. consisting of: Acquis./Binding/Public Services In most instances, serials cataloging is done by a separate unit (i.e., Cataloging or Bibliographic Control Depts.) or contracted out. Bindery work (except where mentioned above) was either a separate unit, or not mentioned. In almost all instances, people stressed the importance of communication and coordination of workflow between various units. Sources for further reading (compiled from this discussion only; there are probably others): The Good Serials Department, edited by Peter Gellatly (a compilation of several articles related to this topic) in Serials Librarian, v.19, no.1/2 (1990). "Where are Serials in Your Organization Chart?" Miriam Palm's summary of a workshop presented by Terry Ann Sayler and Carol Schaafsma at the 4th Annual NASIG Conference in Serials Librarian, v.17, no.3/4 (1990): 159-161. Collver, Mitsuko. "Organization of Serials Work for Manual and Automated Systems," Library Resources and Technical Services, v.24, no.4 (Fall 1980): 307-316. (Discussion of "reciprocal interdependence" as a theoretical basis for grouping serials activities). Carol Magenau of Dartmouth also tells me of a library science thesis at Northwestern (ca. 1978-82) that surveyed 150 serials units and found that no two are alike in their configuration of responsibilities! I suppose one can take heart that there are so many possible workflow arrangements and that they are all getting the job done in one way or another. However, this seems to be one question in the library world that defies any notion of "standardization." Thanks again to all of you who responded. If anyone else has thoughts on this topic or feels like posting additional workflow responses (to me or the list) I'd welcome hearing from you. Birdie MacLennan bmaclenn@uvmvm.BITNET University of Vermont bmaclenn@uvmvm.uvm.edu (Internet)