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Woah, we’re halfway there
When CUNY Libraries embarked on the trail to a more open CUNY, the Office of Library Services communicated three actionable goals for the first 18 months:
- In 6 months, 50% of institutions will have at least one collection in the repository
- In 12 months, 100% of institutions will have at least one collection in the repository
- In 18 months, CUNY Academic Works will have 15,000 items representing diverse content types and disciplines
In just eight months since the goals were announced at the Academic Works kick-off this March, 100% of institutions have at least one collection in the repository, and (WOAH!) we’re already halfway to the 18 month goal. There are now over 7,500 items in CUNY Academic Works.
The Current State of E-Resource Usage Data in Libraries
Here’s an informative and sobering assessment of employing COUNTER (via SUSHI or not) stats for accurately measuring cost per use at the platform/database/journal level… It’s not a pretty picture.
Welker, J. (2012). Counting on COUNTER: The current state of e-resource usage data in libraries. Computers in Libraries, 32(9). Retrieved from http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/nov12/Welker–Counting-on-COUNTER.shtml.
Thanks to Roland for sending this my way.
Why you should not remove a lost item record in Aleph
If you’re considering deleting a “lost” item from the catalog, consider this: removing a “lost” item record also removes its circulation history! This affects library circulation statistics and item counts. Item records also contain a “date last returned” field that can be used to identify items that no longer have relevant circulation history. This information is included in reports listing items with a specific Item Process Status (IPS).
When working with a lost item, you should instead mark it with an appropriate IPS. Lost items can be flagged as missing in transit, lost/paid, lost, withdrawn (“weeded”), or suppressed. Local technical services staff should determine which IPS is most appropriate to classify a particular item in the catalog.
To ensure that a lost item record is not removed by mistake, a new automated process was introduced with Aleph v21 so that when all lost charges are resolved/removed, any remaining loan record will eventually be removed. This also ensures that a lost item would not be listed “on loan” in the OPAC when it is actually lost or missing.
Find information about item process statuses, lost items, and more on the OLS Support Site.
Did a Human or a Computer Write This?
A shocking amount of what we’re reading is created not by humans, but by computer algorithms. Can you tell the difference?
What is this? Where am I?
This blog documents news and updates from the CUNY Office of Library Services’ Systems department. As readers of this blog, the staff and faculty at the CUNY Libraries should expect product updates and tips & tricks for making the most of the systems we support, as well as how-to information to help you achieve certain tasks. Read more about OLS »
