NASIG Newsletter

STRATEGY SESSION

To Claim or Not to Claim: Claiming Questions in the E-World
Karen Decker, Swets; Gracemary Smulewitz, Rutgers University; Micheline Westfall, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
Reported by Mavis B. Molto

Karen Decker began the session with a description of claiming as it has evolved over time with different formats. Claiming began with print only, followed by print with free/paid e-access, and finally e-access only.  Traditional claiming procedures are often followed for the print, with different procedures used for e-content.  The lack of e-access is often not noticed until it is urgently needed.  This is when your agent can help by providing online subscription tools offering instant claim entry and on-demand retrieval of information.  Agents could also help by sending claims to publishers and answering claim inquiries on a daily basis, with personal attention provided if the claim is urgent or complex.

Gracemary Smulewitz described claiming procedures at Rutgers University, which has twenty-six libraries and reading centers.  Print serials are claimed in the traditional way, using the SirsiDynix serial controls system.   Electronic resources are not claimed; instead, a reactive approach is used.  When e-access fails, the publisher is called and if payment is verified access is turned on immediately.  The serial controls system, however, is being considered for e-journal claiming, using three predictions. The first prediction to check on access at startup, second, to check for duplicate records one month later, and third to prompt renewal status at the end of the fiscal year.

Micheline Westfall described claiming at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where an evolution has occurred, starting with claiming print serials, then claiming only selectively, and now claiming again.  The reasons for the switch back and forth were: binding needs, fiscal responsibility for items purchased, difficulty in distinguishing between lapsed titles and title changes, and the needs of some disciplines, for example, art and nursing.  They discovered that many paid titles were not being received.  On July 1, a meeting is scheduled to develop a strategy for claiming e-issues.

DISCUSSION

Following the presentation, there was a discussion of strategies and issues involved in claiming both print and e-journals.

E-journals. Some libraries have an organized check-in system for e-journals, while others check e-journals hit and miss or just in the beginning. At one library about 6% of e-journals have access problems.  Issues with e-journal claiming include: 1) staff time required for claiming; 2) link resolvers showing no access, but an A-Z list showing access established; 3) access and holdings patterns not matching the license agreement; 4) time required to get electronic access established.

Print journals. Some participants felt it is important to continue claiming print titles, since publishers can change and one may lose access to electronic content.  In addition, the print titles that are kept are important and should be as complete as possible.  Claiming of print serials, however, has decreased due to: 1) replacement of print by the electronic format; 2) pressure not to claim print or to limit the number of claims filed; 3) regular reviews aimed at keeping only titles that are needed; and 4) challenges to use interlibrary loan more.