4 messages:

1)______

Date: Thu, 04 Nov 1999 17:45:37 -0700
From: Lanell Rabner <lanell_rabner@BYU.EDU>
Subject: Re: What is a periodical? (Lauren Corbett)

I am looking for a definition that makes sense to both the library and the
patron - focusing on both points of view.  Thanks!

Lanell

> Lanell Rabner
> Periodicals Librarian
> Harold B. Lee Library
> Brigham Young University
> 2129 HBLL
> Provo, UT  84663
> (801) 378-8655
> lanell_rabner@byu.edu
>
>
> Lauren Corbett
> Serials Services Librarian
> Perry Library
> Old Dominion University
> Norfolk, VA  23529-0256
> Ph: (757) 683-4144
> Fax: (757) 683-5954

2)______

Date: Fri, 05 Nov 1999 09:51:54 -0900
From: Marie Murphy <mamm1@NSH.LIBRARY.NS.CA>
Subject: Re: What is a periodical? (Lanell Rabner)

To understand what a "periodical" is, it may be easier to know what it
isn't.  To do this we can look at serials as a whole.

"Serial is an umbrella term for any publication issued in parts with a
numerical or chronological designation, and usually published over an
indefinite period of time.  There are 3 or 4 primary types of serials.
One type is the periodical and the newspaper.  A second is the
continuation, or series, which is more elusive because of its generally
irregular publication and the habit a appearing in the form of hardbound
books.  A third type is what is the government document.  Finally sets in
progress may be considered serials when they are to be published over a
long period of time."

" Webster defines periodical as a publication that appears at regular
intervals.  Generally, the term periodical is construed to mean
"magazine", which is a periodical containing miscellaneous articles, or
stories, or poems or just about anything that has general or special
appeal for a particular group of readers.  "Journal" signifies that the
periodical is for a group of professionals."

Source: Guide to Magazine and Serials Agents;  Bill Katz and Peter
Gellatly, 1975.

Marie D. Murphy
Serials Supervisor
Technical Services
Halifax Regional Library
mamm1@office.nsh.library.ns.ca
Phone (902)-869-4425

3)______

Date: Thu, 04 Nov 1999 20:43:59 -0500 (EST)
From: Enrique Gildemeister <RGildem550@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: What is a periodical? (Lauren Corbett)

I'll try to address both.  The best point of departure would be AACR2R's
definition of a serial, and then we can narrow it down. P. 622:

        Serial.  A publication in any medium issued in successive parts
bearing numeric or chronological designations and intended to be
continued  indefinitely.  Serials include periodicals; newspapers;
annuals (reports, yearbooks, etc.); the journals, memoirs, proceedings,
transactions, etc. of
societies; and numbered monographic series.  See also Series 1.

I was unable to find a definition of "periodical" in AACR2R, though there is
a good chance that one can be found in the CONSER manual, which I don't have
access to.  At any rate, years ago, Ben Tucker, who was responsible for
making the LC Rule Interpretations in the 70's and 80's, always used to say
"use feeling" to deal with ill-defined areas. My "feeling" or experience as a
serials cataloger is that a periodical is:

    A soft-covered serial publication, with an aesthetically designed cover,
which   serves as the main presenter of the title and of the "image" intended
by an   editorial staff.  Periodicals are almost always issued more
frequently than once a  year and always carry articles, though every once in
a while, they may devote an     entire issue to one long piece of book
length. Periodicals can come in paper,  microform, and electronic formats.
For library public service purposes, I would    add newspapers to the
definition of periodicals, as current issues of both are    almost always
held or displayed in a special area. Unlike monographic     paperbacks,
issues of periodicals are usually put together and hard-bound in    volumes
or years, often with a special title page and index supplied by the
publisher, but newsletters usually go in a binder or container, and
newspapers  are     stacked or placed in hanging folders.

I realize this is perhaps more a description than a short definition, but I
hope it covers the cataloger's, the public services librarian's, and the
patron's experiential "feeling" of periodicals. I hope as many people as
possible will join in this really valuable discussion.

Rick Gildemeister
Unemployed Serials Cataloger ;-)
RGildem550@AOL.COM

4)_______

Date: Fri, 05 Nov 1999 02:36:37 -0800
From: Mitch Turitz <turitz@SFSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: What is a Periodical?

Lanell:
   Basically, in our library, we use the rule of thumb:
   1.) If it is published more frequently than annually (at the time
it is first ordered and received) then it is a periodical and goes to
the periodical department (and is  cataloged, but not classified, and
shelved by title).
   2.) If it published annually or less frequently, then it is
classified and shelved in the circulating stacks along with the books.
   3.) If it is published by a government agency, then it goes to the
government publications department, regardless of frequency.

In the cases of #1 & 2, if the frequency changes, it remains where it
was originally cataloged (too much work to
recatalog/reclassify/declassify a title which may change frequency
again and keep changing department locations)

I hope that helps.

-- Mitch

   _^_                                                 _^_
( ___ )-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-( ___ )
  |   |                                               |   |
  |   |     Mitch Turitz, Serials Librarian           |   |
  |   |     San Francisco State University Library    |   |
  |   |     Internet: turitz@sfsu.edu                 |   |
  |   |     http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~turitz           |   |
  |   |                                               |   |
( ___ )-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-==-( ___ )
    V                                                   V
           I can only please one person per day.
                 Today is not your day
           Tomorrow is not looking good either.