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The study is on enhancing serials management in university libraries in Edo and Delta states Nigeria. Descriptive survey was used for the study. Data for the study was gathered through structured questionnaire. The population of the study was 65 librarians from the university libraries, namely, Delta State University Library Abraka, Delta State; Ambrose Alli University Library, Ekpoma Edo State and Federal University of Petroleum Resources Library, Effurun, Delta State. Total number of questionnaire distributed was 65, but 49 questionnaires were found usable, for the study. The items were structured on a 4-point Likert Scale (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree). Data analysis was done using frequency count and simple percentage. The results of the study show that University libraries rendered current awareness, photocopy and electronic journal services, they also organise and provide serials for their users. Some of the problems militating against the management of serials among others, are lack of funds, power failure, inadequate facilities and frequent changes in serials titles. The study recommends that infrastructure stability and access to utilities be addressed in university research plans and budgets. Publishers and vendors should also maintain awareness of the digital divide and continue to invest in print publishing to meet global information needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ms. Dorothea Salo, Faculty Associate at the School of Library & Information Studies of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, argued passionately and cogently about the obligation of librarians to protect the privacy of patrons using electronic serials and the data generated from that usage. Libraries should forcefully express their concerns to vendors of such resources about their collection and commercialization of user data and should stipulate provisions in their contracts and licensing agreements to prevent such misuse of patron’s personal information. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

How can libraries proactively demonstrate, quantitatively and qualitatively, return on investment in an academic environment that is increasingly concerned with tangible results? As speaker for Mississippi State University Libraries' 9th MidSouth eResource Symposium, Dr. Rachel Fleming-May, Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee's School of Information Sciences, articulated the need for libraries to communicate their true value and indispensability to campus communities, particularly through the measurement of electronic resource usage. The concept of 'use,' however, is complex and must be fully understood for meaningful incorporation into assessment measures. A brief summary of this session, also authored by Amanda Price, appeared in the 'E-Resource Roundup' column of the Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, Volume 23, Issue 1 (2011: March). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As university budgets tighten, academic libraries are becoming more aggressive and innovative in raising awareness of their services to protect needed funding. In the age of Google, that means marketing collections to both students and faculty as a key component of building a positive, essential profile. ProQuest is completing a study of academic library efforts to build awareness and market the breadth of collections. This article will summarize the results of that study, providing not only raw data on the state of marketing collections, but also: best practice techniques for raising awareness and protecting budgets; emerging models of success; role models for effective marketing; effective vendor support: where to turn for products that conquer barriers between libraries and users; and effective marketing support: where to turn for expert advice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tagging is the practice of assigning common terms to digital objects such as websites, photos, or articles. These tags serve as metadata for easy organization and retrieval. Many libraries have begun incorporating tags into their catalogs in various ways. This presentation considered the practices of a few select libraries as examples of how tagging can be used in conjunction with more traditional cataloging practices to add value to the library catalog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peter Morville described information architecture and ambient findability, and discussed how library websites can incorporate these concepts into their design. He highlighted seven qualities that should drive Web design and emphasized the importance of knowing our users and how they use our sites. Libraries must focus on how to keep our content relevant and, more importantly, findable in an age of information overload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This presentation detailed an investigation by law librarians at Franklin Pierce Law Center Library of the viability of federated search and enterprise search to meet the needs of law library patrons. The results of the investigation revealed that federated search products could not answer the needs of law libraries to provide a single search box with a single, integrated result set because it has a fundamental flaw—it searches in real time. Neither could enterprise search solutions like the Google Search Appliance. With the backing of the New England Law Library Consortium (NELLCO) and a two-year leadership grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a committee composed of law librarians from law schools throughout New England, a vendor representative, and a development partner, IndexData, created the Universal Search Solution (USS). The USS is an open-source, standards-based, single search box solution for law libraries that may ultimately guide all libraries in similar pursuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

User expectations for complete and immediate discovery and delivery of information have been set by their experiences in the Web 2.0 world. Libraries must respond to the needs of those users whose needs can easily be meet with Google-like discovery tools as well as those who require deeper access to our resources. What has happened to bring us to this time in the evolution of library collections and services? What characterizes user expectations and how are we fulfilling them today? What can we do to prepare for the future? Are we prepared for what is to come? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a keynote address to attendees of the Seventh Annual E-resource Workshop at Mississippi State University, Stephen Abram from the SirsiDynix Institute told librarians to prepare for the new generation of users and the way they learn. Libraries must evolve into "social learning centers" with an emphasis on the why and how of information seeking. In this new setting, librarians will be the navigators. He offered ten suggestions to libraries that want to prepare for the future; these recommendations cover new technologies, social networking, and new models of organization among staff. Ultimately, the future of librarianship depends on how libraries communicate and grow with the new learning communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possible applicability of the FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) model to serial works was discussed by Kristin Antelman from North Carolina State University. She provided an overview of the FRBR model, pointing out that, while there arc currently few details on how it would relate to serials, it does have applicability to serial works. The concept of a super-record was discussed as a way to incorporate FRBR concepts into one bibliographic record that could represent an overview of a serial work with all of its title changes, different formats, and holdings information. Antelman used a variety of screen shot examples to show how current views of a serial in an OPAC can be confusing and frustrating for library users and how a super-record approach drawing on FRBR concepts could present information in a much more concise, easy-to-read format. While a formal model to apply FRBR to serial works has not yet been developed, Antelman demonstrated that such a model could be beneficial to library and information science professionals as well as library users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This presentation by Eric Novotny discussed the results of a usability study conducted at the Pennsylvania Statc University Libraries. Novices and experienced searchers were recruited to discover how Net Generation library users search the online catalog. Findings of the investigation revealed that library users have been greatly impacted by Internet search behaviors. The session provided insights into how libraries can design user-centered online systems to meet the Web-savvy users' expectations, dot: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Michael Stephens presented information about new technologies for connecting libraries with our users. These technologies enable libraries to appeal to users who want to access and communicate information through the use of social tools such as blogs, podcasts, social networking, and wikis. Understanding these tools and integrating their use into new and existing services allows libraries to connect with users in ways never before thought possible, dot: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successive entry cataloging has been used by most libraries since the early 1970s when the Library of Congress adopted this AACRI standard as an innovative solution to the problems of retyping lengthy serial catalog cards. The benefits of successive cataloging in an online environment have steadily diminished, and frustrations have increased over the past 35 years. Latest entry cataloging reduces the number of bibliographic records that are needed for one serial by providing access to all titles on one record. It promotes efficient processing of title changes for library staff and causes less frustration for library patrons. It's time for a radical change! [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social software, particularly blogs, wikis, and podcasting, are new tools that help libraries connect with users. Abigail Bordeaux shared the practical experience of Binghamton University Libraries using a blog for news and events and a staff wiki for collaboration and information sharing. She also explored the emergence of podcasts at libraries. Libraries were encouraged to experiment with social software to engage with patrons who commonly use these tools for other purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There was once a time when librarians could tell patrons what to do. If patrons wanted high-quality scholarly information they had to come get it in the library and had to do so on the library's terms. But we no longer live in a world of information scarcity; we now live in a world of information glut, and our patrons no longer feel as if they need us. Are they right? Are they fooling themselves? Do we need to change their minds-or our practices? And what does any of this have to do with serials work? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of recent journal use data at the Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries showed a rapid shift in user preferences. The decline in print use was as dramatic as the increase in the use of electronic versions. Some of the unusual challenges of producing use reports for electronic journals are presented in this article. Last, but not least, some observations about the relationship between the access infrastructure and electronic journal use are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marshall Keys' entertaining presentation serves as an inspiring and thought-provoking stroll down today's technological trends and how they will impact libraries down the road. His examination of chaotic transitions within users, information technology and information seeking provides tremendous insights into the changes libraries will need to undertake in order to successfully serve the next generation of library users. Only by transforming ourselves to handle the needs of emerging users will we be successful in the future. These emerging users value community over privacy; want to be able to personalize the technology they use; and carry more technology in their pockets than libraries provided users just a few years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the session was to explore key issues about electronic resource license breaches from the perspective of a library, publisher, and information provider. The presenters discussed how each of their organizations manage license breaches. Libraries, publishers, and information providers need to work together to continue to develop effective methods of addressing and preventing license breaches while also being sensitive to privacy issues and the need to support library users' research needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marketing models designed to optimize retail product assortments can inform the evaluation of journal collections in the noncommercial library setting. This tactical session presented marketing research in three key areas: consumer perceptions of reduced choice, efficient allocation of limited shelf space, and formulas to find the most efficient variety of products that satisfy consumers. Steve Black invited participants to apply the marketing theories to their practical experience within the library environment. Many correspondences and some divergences between retail consumers and library users were noted. Chiefly, undergraduate and graduate library user groups, like retail consumers, behave somewhat predictably when confronted with large or small assortments of journals. Also, the presence or absence of a favorite journal, like a favorite product, is significant to users/consumers. Library users differ from consumers in that an acceptable substitute is not always readily available. The effects of the physical arrangement of journal collections, such as interfiling and type of classification, are noteworthy. The importance of developing unique items within a library collection was emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic journal access is very different from the print world. Evaluating the usage information available is even more important. Drawing on experiences with usage statistics from the print environment and vendor sources, Kraemer and Bordeaux presented ideas for how to gather and present u sage data in the electronic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is part one of a two-part article on the CONSER Summit. It is a report of a meeting that included people from all aspects of the serials industry and CONSER people who have been involved in various endeavors at different levels, as well as others who could bring a unique perspective to help CONSER in dealing with electronic journals. The article includes a summary of conversations, discussions, and recommendations from the two-day summit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Link resolvers, including Ex Libris' SFX, use OpenURL to provide library patrons with context-sensitive links, such as the ability to move quickly from a citation in an abstracting and indexing database to the full text. In SFX, information for determining the appropriate links is maintained in the knowledge base, which contains details about a library's electronic holdings and other information about electronic information re- sources. This article describes SFX functionality, what the service looks like from a patron's point of view, and how it can be of particular assistance to a serials librarian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surveys of faculty, students, and scientists in non-university settings over time show that journals and journal articles continue to be a valued resource. Scientists today read from a variety of sources including print journals, electronic journals, e-print servers, and full-text databases; the amounts for each vary with subject discipline and library collection decisions. Scientists expect the library to provide resources and electronic journals that are designed to meet the needs of their specific discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

You can't manage what you can't measure is the popular quote attributed to Peter Drucker. E-metrics is all about measuring for the purpose of managing the many aspects of e-content and e-collections. The notion of what to measure and how to manage depends on your perspective, however. There are a number of players in the online information business. For this talk we will focus on three of them: libraries, publishers, and aggregators. Each of these participants has somewhat different requirements for e-metrics. The subtitle of this presentation is Taking E-Metrics to the Next Level. We will start with the prerequisite look at why we need usage statistics. This will be followed by a discussion and examples of reports available today and a look at some of the challenges faced when e-metrics are provided from several sources. Next will be an overview of some of the standard efforts in process that could reduce or eliminate these challenges. Finally, we will look ahead to expanding uses of e-metrics and some additional challenges to be faced as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Libraries have found that trying to force the print journal workflow model onto the electronic journal world is unsuccessful. In two sessions, the presenters attempted to reflect the point of view of end users, publishers, and librarians as they laid out their view of the current environment and offered suggestions for managing electronic journals in the future. After presentations, the sessions were opened for comments, questions, and discussion from the audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full text linking practices generally fall into three categories: internal, external, or hybrid. Publishers and aggregators have for some time employed both internal and external linking, but they are increasingly using a mixture of internal and external linking, or hybrid linking. New affiliations, such as the CrossRef organization, and new context-sensitive linking technologies, such as SFX, provide the possibility of unprecedented, article-level access to full text. These new affiliations and technologies also complicate the linking landscape for librarians. Librarians must be able to navigate this complicated linking landscape in order to provide the best service for their users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the EBSCOhost MasterFILE Elite as a source of periodicals in electronic form. Searching options offered by the database; Benefits and drawbacks of non-full text abstracted articles for library users and reference section staff; Delay in the publication of the current issues of periodicals on EBSCO databases.

Discusses the role of an informative Web sites in providing library users with detailed information on the library serial holdings. Information on several serial holdings in various formats in the Internet; Importance of the HTML coding on the creation and maintenance of a journal holdings; Ways to empower non-professional staff in maintaining a journal holdings list in the Web site.

The article focuses on a poster session about the importance of developing policies in close partnership with universities and their users by describing a comprehensive approach to usability testing. The session includes observations from the testers and development partners, sharing their experiences during the process and their views on the application of the approach to product development. The following topics are discussed: periodical subscriptions and cancellations; bringing open access journals into the catalog; evaluating electronic database journal coverage; quest for a centralized e-journals access management system at UNR and content overlap among the Elsevier subject backfile collections.