The Serials Management Handbook

Serials management has been changing very much and serials information management now encompasses varied forms: micro-form; CD-ROM and Web-based formats; local holdings; and document delivery. This is an overview of practice of many different aspects of serials management, taking a problem and solution approach rather than a step-by-step, how-to one. While there is substantial emphasis on electronic developments throughout, this is not at the expense of material on print journals, which still contain the majority of serials information delivered in most libraries. The book is also written in the context of the overriding importance of user requirements, remembering that processes are not ends in themselves, but means to deliver information to end users. Coverage includes: why do we need serials?; how and why serials are produced; serial information delivery options; budgeting, ordering and paying; acquisition methods; processing; stock management; and exploitation and usage analysis.