NASIG Newsletter

22nd CONFERENCE
TACTICS SESSIONS

Straight from the Horse’s Mouth:  New and Not-So-New Serialists Share Experiences
Susan Davis, University at Buffalo, State University of New York; Sarah Morris, Illinois College of Optometry
Reported by Gail Julian

Susan Davis, a long time serialist and leader in the NASIG organization, and Sarah Morris, a new professional and 2006 NASIG student grant award winner, led the audience in a discussion of serials’ changes over time and how different generations of librarians view the serials world and workplace today. 

Susan has recently been named co-head of a newly created department at her institution.  This new department, the Electronic Periodicals Management Department, combines acquisitions and cataloging functions related to electronic resources.  Susan recapped her career using slides and photos. She has attended all the NASIG conferences and has over twenty-five years of experience in serials work. 

In contrast, in 2005, as NASIG celebrated its 20th anniversary, Sarah was at the halfway point in library school.  Sarah originally planned to be a teacher but got a taste of acquisitions when she was an undergraduate working at CRL.  She later became a paraprofessional and then attended library school.  The audience was then asked to share stories of how they became serialists. 

The next part of the discussion revolved around changes that have occurred over the last twenty-five years.   Susan recalled using an IBM Selectric typewriter and how much time it took to send claims and correspond through the mail.  Sarah shared her experiences of the last five years as resources have increasingly moved to electronic format and patrons want everything available with one click.  The management of electronic resources is much more complex requiring training and documentation.   The audience was asked to discuss their experiences retooling existing staff to work with electronic materials. 

“What are our roles in the library today?”  Susan and Sarah continued the discussion by bringing up issues all too familiar to current day librarians:  pricing models, backfiles sold separately, the role of consortia, the “big deal,” and the consolidation of publishing.  The roles of publishers and agents have also changed, and the role of the platform provider is new to the mix.  However, regardless of format, title problems still exist.

The tactics session concluded with a discussion of the generational divide.  Serialists of all ages share some common traits.  They must be comfortable with change and ambiguity.  However, often they do not get as much positive feedback as colleagues in public services.  Studies indicate constant feedback is needed by the millennial generation.  In addition, how will experienced and newer librarians co-exist?  New blood may be needed to reinvigorate an organization, but these newer librarians must be cognizant of the history of the organization.  Experienced librarians may not appreciate the ideas of newer librarians.  Susan and Sarah concluded by distributing a list of readings on the subject.