All,
Earlier this week I posted a general inquiry about microform indexing and
locating practices.
A big thanks to librarians from the following libraries who sent me the
insightful remarks that I've summarized below.
Salmon P. Chase College of Law Library,
Northern Kentucky University
BNA Library
Golden Gate University Law Library
University of Wisconsin Law Library
American University, Washington College of
Law Library
Law Library, University of California, Davis
1. How do patrons actually locate the cabinet / drawer for microforms?
Is this info in a separate (paper) index? In the catalog record?
Somewhere else?
*Chart on top of the cabinets that tells where the major
titles are located.
*Don't think that putting [locator info] in the catalog
record would be a good idea because of cabinet renumbering.
*Contents of each drawer taped to the drawer, and have
indicated holdings in the catalog (not many microforms,
so this works.)
*Paper index in a binder kept with the fiche cabinets.
This index is also in pdf format that is linked to our OPAC.
So, a patron pulls up a title in our microforms
collection, there is a link to the paper index in .pdf.
*Index is provided in paper and online. A hard copy of the
index, listing titles, holdings, format, location, etc. is
kept inside our microform room for easy self browsing.
The same index is posted at our library website under
the heading "Guides."
*Web-based guide. It tells users in which cabinets and
drawers to find the materials. Patrons have found this
much easier to use than the paper guide we used to
maintain.
*Cabinet and drawer information is not contained in the
catalog records, although we wish they were. Probably
would require too much catalog revision any time there
is a microform shift.
*Paper index listing most important sets and their cabinet
numbers. One index is kept at the Public Services
desk, and the other is downstairs in the microform room.
*Microfiche with a short record is filed all in one
cabinet, and a note with the cabinet number is added to the record.
2. Do patrons generally locate microform material on their own or
through the assistance of a librarian?
* One would think they could do it on their own, but they
usually require assistance. Especially if they need to
use the CIS indices.
*Most of the time on their own.
*If patrons ask for microform materials, we give them the
cabinet number or range of cabinet numbers where they
can be found. They usually have no trouble locating
what they want, and there is a direct phone line from
the microform room to Public Services if they need help.
3. How are microforms arranged in their space? By call number?
Alphabetical order? Some other way?
*Sort of in call number order, but some exceptions-- U.S.
Supreme Court Records an Briefs are in a separate bank
of cabinets.
*By subject. California mats are all in one cabinet. Gov
docs fiche are arranged by SuDoc. Federal Register &
CFR are together in other cabinets. Each cabinet is
clearly marked as to contents in each drawer.
*Basically alphabetically by title first and then
numerical by report number.
*Arrange some of them by LC or SuDoc numbers but most are
simply unclassified and arranged by type of
material, and, within that, by title.
*Each microform cabinet is numbered, and each drawer is
labeled as to its contents. The microforms are put into
the cabinets in call number order with some exception:
session laws, bar journals, and opinions of the
attorneys general of the states.
4. To what extent are microforms reflected in the library catalog?
Completely, partially or not at all?
*Something that we have been working on for the past year,
so that each individual title is retrievable. All our
gov docs, U.N. materials, and pre-reporter system cases
have been catalogued. Still working on some of the other
materials. It's a slow process.
*Completely.
*The title of each separate set is reflected in our online
catalog, although most individual titles within a set are not.
*Most microforms are catalogued, and those that are not
have a short bib record. All are reflected in our
online catalog.
I'd be happy to continue this discussion on or off the list. Thanks again
to all who responded.
Regards,
Amy Kahler
Amy Kahler
Reference Librarian
The Ohio State University
Moritz Law Library, Moritz College of Law
280D Drinko Hall
55 West 12th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210-1391
Phone: 614/ 292-3193
FAX: 614/ 292-3202
E-Mail: kahler.17@osu.edu
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