To my astonishment, one of our science librarians told me this was the SINGLE
MOST IMPORTANT variant access point on serials.  She said many users are
baffled by the abbreviations in periodical indexes and just type in what they
see.  This was a big surprise to me considering the users of that collection
are mostly graduate students in science and engineering.  Until we have
automated "hook to holdings" or full-text online, I believe we should
facilitate the matching of citations to catalog records any way we can.

--Crystal Graham
University of California, San Diego
cgraham@ucsd.edu

----------------------------------Reply to ----------------------------

>From: "Sharon L. Wiles-Young" <slw0@LEHIGH.EDU>

    At Lehigh University we are currently implementing a new online system and
    are reviewing our indexing options.
          My question is:
    Does anyone index the 210 in their current online system? Does it seem to
    help the patrons that have an abbreviation from a citation? Does the
    abbreviation come close to the abbreviation they have in their citation?

    Any responses will be appreciated.    Thanks

*Sharon Wiles-Young*
Serials Manager                         Internet:SLW0@LEHIGH.EDU
Lehigh University                       Phone: (610) 758-3046
Linderman Library                       Fax:   (610) 758-5605
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18015