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.

Print

• 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