[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Using the serial module

[Holly Brennan]

Hi Jennifer -

I manage serials for our library, and though I've only been using Evergreen under a year, I feel I have a pretty good grasp on it. People can correct me if I say anything wrong. :)

Q1: Must a library create predication pattern for a serial title? What if you have many serial titles from local/county historical societies which are not regular or have any predictable publishing/receiving pattern?

                You need predictions to create issues, but it's very easy to change the enumeration/dates on particular issuances, and you can create these as the items arrive. I find that even national publications decide to change/skip/add issues, so you're not alone there.

Q2: Does serial issue have to be barcoded?

                Nope. We don't barcode any of our newspapers since they are only for in-house use, so they are received very simply ( You uncheck the "Create Units For Received Items" box and the barcode/details fields disappear.)

Q2a:  How would a library go back and batch load a serial title back from 19xx which is weekly but can't go back an barcode? Would this be outside of the serials module? Im guessing so since I have only seen and read that the serials module is for ordering subscriptions, distributing issues, and receiving issues.

                You can start your predictions whenever you want. I was given a stack of old Cook's Illustrated issues so I went back and created predictions for issues that occurred before our subscription began. No problem. Again, you don't have to barcode anything. If you don't even care about making sure you received each issue you're expecting, you don't need to create predictions. You could just have the record with a note about what issues you carry. I see predictions as a way to make sure you're getting what you paid for - though there is no claiming module yet for following up with missing issues.

Q3: If a serial changes its pattern (goes from monthly to quarterly) , how would you change the predictions? Would you close out the current record and create a new? Meaning you'd add an end date to the subscription or a new MARC record?

                Noooo, that wouldn't be fun at all. You keep the record and just add a new prediction pattern. This is very common. Let's say a magazine is publishing monthly, which you've created a prediction pattern for, and all of a sudden it decides to combine June/July and Nov/Dec. After grumbling about the change, you make the original pattern inactive (unchecking the box for it), and create a new prediction pattern and make the new one active. Then you generate predicted issues from the new pattern. The old pattern will be there and can't be deleted if there are issues attached, but that's okay. I have some subscriptions with 5 or 6 patterns already because the publishers are trying to drive me mad to survive these changing times.

I also have some subscriptions with multiple active patterns. An example would be a magazine that publishes monthly, but then also has a special Winter issue. I have one pattern for the monthlies, and another to create that once-a-year special issue.

Hope this helps! There wasn't great documentation when I started learning this a year ago, but I figured it out. You learn to trick the patterns into doing exactly what you want, and I haven't found a situation yet that doesn't fit into the configuration.

-Holly



Holly Brennan
Library Technology Specialist
Homer Public Library
907-235-3180 (main)
907-435-3154 (direct)
hbrennan at cityofhomer-ak.gov






From: open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org [mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org] On Behalf Of Jennifer Bielewski
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 11:49 AM
To: 'open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org'
Subject: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Using the serial module

Hello Evergreen libraries,

Im currently testing and researching the Evergreen Serials Module and demo'ing what I know so far. I received some great questions and was hoping you can help.

Q1: Must a library create predication pattern for a serial title? What if you have many serial titles from local/county historical societies which are not reqular or have any predictable publishing/receiving pattern?

I have seen these link: http://www.tararobertson.ca/sharing-serial-prediction-patterns/ and http://wiki.evergreen-ils.org/doku.php?id=acq:serials:patterns


Q2: Does serial issue have to be barcoded?
Q2a:  How would a library go back and batch load a serial title back from 19xx which is weekly but can't go back an barcode? Would this be outside of the serials module? Im guessing so since I have only seen and read that the serials module is for ordering subscriptions, distributing issues, and receiving issues.

Q3: If a serial changes its pattern (goes from monthly to quarterly) , how would you change the predictions? Would you close out the current record and create a new? Meaning you'd add an end date to the subscription or a new MARC record?


Thank you for any advice or help!

Jennifer Bielewski
DTS Representative
Main: 800.999.8558 x 2915
Direct: 678-235-2915
Skype: Jenn Bielewski
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