These questions are for any library that is using the NOTIS
serials module, LSER, and is also using NOTIS's WebPac.  We
would very much like to know whether or not any other libraries
in similar circumstances are experiencing these problems.

I was the serials librarian at Virginia Commonwealth University
(VCU) when we implemented LSER in late 1994/early 1995.  I'm no
longer in that position, but I've been asked to investigate the
problems outlined below.

First, some background.  NOTIS at VCU is currently operating under
version 7.0.  The WebPac version is 1.2, but the Tag machine is still
running version 6.4.1.1.  According to Ameritech, this is compatable
with NOTIS 7.0.

In establishing the default displays for serial holdings statements
in the OPAC, Yes (Y) or No (N) answers are configured for "Holdings
Detail Definition" in LSYS.  The correct (and logical) answer to this
item setup is "Y."  When we enter "Y" as the default, however, problems
develop.  The bound holdings for serials display, including any
additional information, such as specific missing issues.

Immediately after the holdings statements, however, appears a string
of data that reflects the first issue of the first LSER pattern created
for a title.  For example, the holdings for the title Journal of
Forecasting appear like this:

LIBRARY HAS: v.2 (1983)-v.15 (1996) ;;V.13:NO.6 (1994:Nov.)-

In this case, the information after the double semi-colons represents
the first issue that was checked-in under the first LSER issue for this
title.  As you can see, that issue is already bound.  This occurs in
both the WebPac and the OPAC.

If the incorrect (and illogical) default of No (N) is selected, the
holdings information in the OPAC displays correctly, but no holdings
whatsoever display in the WebPac.  Ameritech insists that the problem
is not with the differing versions of NOTIS LMS and Tag, and that
versions 6.4.1.1 for the Tag machine and 7.0 for NOTIS LMS should be
compatable in this regard.  We were experiencing this problem in
the WebPac before we installed version 7.0 .  It began to appear in
the OPAC after we installed version 7.0.

The second problem is related to the above.  This problem first
occurred with the installation of NOTIS version 7.0.  At VCU, when
we have bound holdings _and_ microform holdings for the same title,
we use a single bibliographic record and display all holdings under
separate copy holdings statements.  In the WebPac, the holdings for
microforms are not displaying at all.  If the copy holdings
statement for the bound holdings is listed first, the bound holdings
_do_ display.  If the copy holdings statement for the microform
holdings is listed first, _neither_ the bound nor microform holdings
will display.

Have I lost you yet?  The defaults that we use for the coded
classification type are X for print serials and Y for microforms.
The copy statements, and the related MARC holdings statements are
similar for both formats (e.g., the same MARC tags and delimiters).
We have tried setting the classification type for the microforms at
X, but it does not fix the problem.

If anyone has any comments or solutions about these problems, I
would appreciate hearing from you.  I'm logged onto this list from
my home account, but would like to receive any responses at my work
account.  If you reply to me personally, please send e-mail to:
        shmurden@vcu.edu
If there is any interest, I will be happy to post a synopsis to the
list.

Thanks.

Steve Murden
<shmurden@vcu.edu>