Increasing the Visibility of Full-Text, Electronic Format Journals
Steve McCrackenSerials Solutions, LLC
April 24, 2001
Key Problem:
Finding a specific journal in full-text, electronic format is time-consuming and difficult.
• Patrons’ confusion between which databases are full text, selected full text, or abstracting and indexing
• Multiple databases require multiple searches and multiple search interfaces
• Constantly changing holdings
• Limited reporting of changes
Overview
Current Situation in Most Libraries:
• Patrons simply do not find or use expensive electronic resources
• Librarians and patrons are forced to waste time
• In-house solutions are usually expensive and incomplete
• Libraries lack information when making purchasing decisions
• Return on investment for full-text databases is significantly less than it could be.
Overview
Solution
A single, comprehensive list of your library’s full-text, electronic format journals.
Key Elements:• Available in a variety of formats to suit each individual institution:
HTML, print, Excel, XML, MARC-ready, custom
• Updated every other month
• Customized for your library
• Displays multiple holdings of the same journal
• Includes coverage dates and ISSNs
• Option to include library’s print holdings in reports
Available formats
• HTML listFor use on web site and/or Intranets
• Print listFor use at reference desks
• Excel, XML or comma-delimited dataFor integration into existing databases
• MARC-ready for inclusion in your OPACHoldings information to be included in the 856 field of the journal’s MARC record
HTML
• Holdings dates
• Links to database search page
• Links directly to journal (when available)
• Duplicate holdings identified
• Library-specific journals for “select” databases
• Served from your servers. Loads quickly, keeps you in control.
Upcoming enhancements to HTML
Keyword searching• Currently being beta tested. Planned release this June.
Subject searching• Scheduled to release in late summer.
Usage tracking statistics• Scheduled to release in late summer.
• Initial product delivered in a three ring binder
• Subsequent updates sent in PDF format
• May be reproduced as many times as you want, for use in your library
For use at reference desks and computer labs
Excel, XML, CSV
• Incorporate electronic journals into existing serials database
• Excel file provides a valuable tool for evaluating acquisition decisions
MARC-ready
Incorporate electronic journals into your OPAC
• Data is in a format to be cut and pasted into the 856 field of the journal’s MARC record in your OPAC
• Initial report provides comprehensive list of titles
• Updates track changes that have occurred since previous updates
Results
Serials Solutions fits the needs of individual libraries.
• Dramatically reduces search time
Average search time drops from as much as several hours to a few minutes or less.
• Increases use of electronic resources
• More efficient use of library resources
• Reduces inter-library loan costs
• Provides crucial information for acquisition decisions
Situation:• 25+ full text databases, 70+ databases total
• Approximately 17,000 full-text, electronic format journal holdings
• Underused resource because of difficulty of access
Goal:• Improve access to these resources for large student population
Solution:• Serials Solutions HTML report on website
Case Study: University of North Florida
Results:
Problem solved “Our patrons are grateful for the service. We LOVE IT!”
– Bob JonesHead, Public Services Division and Systems Coordinator
University of North Florida Library
• Patrons spend less time searching for resources• Patrons find resources they otherwise would not have found• Increase in usage of resources• Decrease in staff time spent dealing with the issue
Details• Estimated maintenance time of 5 minutes every other month• Over 2,000 hits on web pages provided by Serials Solutions in first 6 weeks.
Case Study: University of North Florida
Sample Implementations
University of North Florida Product: HTML in frames layout
Website: www.unf.edu/library/ej/
Rhodes College Product: HTML as pop-up window
Website: http://www.rhodes.edu/library/main.shtml
Pepperdine UniversityProduct: Integrated Excel format into Journal Holdings Database
Website: http://rigel.pepperdine.edu/holdings_search.html
NYPL Science, Industry and Business Library Product: Extensive use of print reports; PDF file on website
Website: http://www.nypl.org/research/sibl/database.htm
Pricing
Number of Journals Tracked
HTML & Print Reports
Under 4,000 $480
4,001-7,000 $720
7,001-10,000 $1,080
10,001-15,000 $1,440
15,001-20,000 $1,800
20,001-25,000 $2,160
Over 25,000 $2,520
Additional services : • Customized Excel file - add 10% • Customized XML file - add 10% • MARC-ready report - add 35% • Additional print binders - $15 each
Significant discounts:• 15% discount for consortia of 5 to 19 libraries• 25% discount for consortia of 20 or more libraries
• 10% discount for subscriptions of two years or more
These rates are only valid through June 1, 2001.
Cost for one year:
Price is determined by the number of full-text journal holdings tracked for your library.
Consortia Purchasing
Sample Timeline
June 8 Final decision from consortia members June 22 All library data provided to Serials SolutionsJuly 9-13 All reports shipped to consortia members
Key Dates:
May 4 Presentation at Vendor DayMay 25 All RFQs submitted Serials Solutions’ typical response time is 24 to 48 hours.
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May June
Selected Client List
Includes libraries that will receive initial reports in May
Fuller Theological Seminary
Georgian Court College
Grand Rapids Community College
Holy Names College
Hope College
Illinois Institute of Technology
John F. Kennedy University
Lee University
Library of Congress
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola University Chicago
Lindsey Wilson College
Manhattanville College
Marymount College
The Master’s College
Mills College
Minot State University
Mount St. Mary’s College
National University
North Carolina State University
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
University of Montevallo
University of North Florida
University of North Texas
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Scranton
University of South Alabama
University of Southern California
University of the Pacific
University of the Redlands
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
University of the South
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin - Parkside
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Vassar College
Whitman College
New York Public Library – Humanities and Social Sciences
New York Public Library – Science, Industry and Business
Occidental College
Pellissippi State Community College
Pepperdine University
Providence College
Rand Corporation
Rhodes College
Saint Mary’s College
San Jose State University
Santa Clara University
Seattle Public Library
Seton Hall University
Simmons College
Spring Hill College
Thunderbird – American Graduate School of International Studies
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of La Verne
Azusa Pacific University
Biola University
Birmingham Southern College
Boston College
Bryan College
California Lutheran University
Campbellsville University
Carroll College
Carson-Newman College
Chapman University
Christian Heritage College
Claremont Colleges
College of Charleston
Eastern Michigan University
Emory & Henry College
Ferrum College
Fielding Institute
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida International University
Free Library of Philadelphia