[623] in ad-lib
Advance serials implemenatation
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (efinnie@MIT.EDU)
Wed May 17 14:57:28 1995
From: efinnie@MIT.EDU
To: mwsmith@MIT.EDU, fleish@MIT.EDU, acq2@MIT.EDU, bog-lib@MIT.EDU
Date: Wed, 17 May 1995 14:56:21 EDT
We have decided to postpone the training for journal check-in on
Advance after much discussion and consultation. All sessions for
training in May and early June have been cancelled.
This decision results from a major shift in our thinking about the
most effective way to implement serials control throughout the
library system. Because of the extensive time required to test the
system, we realize it is impossible to prepare adequate
documentation or the kind of training and support we want to offer.
In addition, we are still resolving many operational questions
about how to use the system most effectively, e.g. where and when
barcoding will take place, how to handle titles with copies in more
than one library, when item records migrated in CIRC in GLIS should
be linked to serial copy set reocrds in Advance, etc.
Rather than training all units in May/June and bringing up central
and local check-in simultaneously in July, we believe that a better
implementation will result from approaching the training and start
up in several stages. Fortunately, there is no real deadline by
which we have to begin check-in on Advance. Given this flexibility
and the pressures outlined above, we have developed a phased
approach.
The current model we have in mind is to begin check-in of serials,
monographic series, Humanities journals, and ordering and payment
of invoices in the central unit when Advance goes live in July. We
would also ask Dewey to begin journal check-in as a test library in
July. We anticipate bringing up other divisional and branch units
in the fall, probably September. Although there are advantages and
disadvantages to whatever month we do this, it seems most likely
that we would work with September as the time for training and
implementation for everyone else.
This scenario would allow us to gain operational experience, test
documentation, and work out procedures over the summer in a live
mode. Working with Dewey as a local test site will allow us to try
out and revise our draft documentation and training plan for the
rest of the library units. Building a base of expertise will also
be valuable when all units are live with journal check-in. There
will be continuing dialogue with local units over the summer as we
work through the impacts resulting from central serials check-in,
but the major task of learning journals check-in and pattern
building would be postponed.
We apologize for changing the schedule right before we were to
begin training, but we feel strongly that in the log run we will
have a better implementation. If you have questions or concerns,
please don't hesitate to contact us by telephone or email. Thank
you.
Ellen Duranceau
Marilyn McSweeney
