EVERY library with holdings records in the National Library of Medicine's (NLM) SERials HOLDings database, SERHOLD, must make sure that its serials holdings records accurately reflect its library's holdings. This ensures that DOCLINE requests and referrals route accurately and efficiently.
Serials holdings records must be updated via the Online SERHOLD Updating System, except for Stanford University, and those VA libraries which update through VALNET. Each library is responsible for updating its own serials holdings records, but may designate an individual outside of the library to do the actual data entry. A list of individuals willing to update records for a nominal fee will be sent to participating libraries in March.
The ideal is to keep your library's serials holdings records up to date in SERHOLD as changes are made to your collection. If the reality is that you (1) have not updated your records (2) are getting requests for items you don't have or (3) are not getting requests for items you do have, make sure your records are updated in SERHOLD by the May deadline!
Our yearly Region 7 tape will be ordered from NLM immediately following this deadline, and any subsequent requests for union list products will be filled using this new tape. We will not have the opportunity to order a tape from NLM again until May of 1999.
Remember, DOCLINE routing is entirely dependent on the quality of each library's serials holdings records in SERHOLD. Please help yourself and your library colleagues to provide the optimal sharing of resources within our Region!
If you are having difficulties with equipment or telecommunications software, or if you need training or training manuals, first contact your Area SERHOLD Coordinator. If you do not know who your Coordinator is or you need additional assistance, don't hesitate to contact Heidi Sandstrom at PSRML at 1(800) 338-7657 or by email at heidits@library.ucla.edu.
Trash those out-of-date records!