NJULS
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Librarians
What is the New
Jersey Union List of Serials (NJULS)?
The NJULS is a web-accessible database of periodicals,
serials, and newspapers found in over 615 New Jersey
libraries.
What kind of data
can be found in the NJULS?
NJULS consists of serial bibliographic records and associated
local data records (LDRs) that represent New Jersey
libraries' periodicals, serials, and newspaper holdings.
How is the NJULS
used?
The NJULS can be searched free by both library staff
and the public to find volumes, numbers, and years for
periodicals, serials, and newspapers held throughout
New Jersey. Library staff use the NJULS to locate the
serial holdings of other libraries in order to request
interlibrary loans and photocopies from them.
Where does the
NJULS data come from?
The serial bibliographic records and local data records
in the NJULS are found in the OCLC WorldCat database.
Libraries or their union list agents (the New Jersey
State Library for non-OCLC libraries) enter volume and
other holdings information for serials they own into
the OCLC Union List Subsystem.
What exactly does
union listing mean?
Union listing is the process of creating records and
updating the volumes, years, etc. of your library's
serial publications. The updating is done on the local
data record (LDR) which is attached to the bibliographic
record for the title of a serial. Keeping your LDRs
up to date impacts ILL requests positively, since a
borrowing library will check the holdings of a potential
lender to make sure the lender has the appropriate volume
or year. Incorrect or old data causes superfluous ILL
requests and wastes time and money.
Which New Jersey
libraries have data represented in the NJULS?
Approximately 615 New Jersey libraries have their union
listing data represented in the NJULS. NJULS libraries
include academic, corporate, hospital, public, school,
and special libraries. Libraries range from large academics
to small publics.
How often is the
NJULS database updated?
Updating and record creation by OCLC libraries and the
union list agent is done year round. All changes to
the NJULS database reflect current LDRs for each library's
holdings.
What's in it for
your library?
Since searching the NJULS is free, use of the database
will help encourage regional resource sharing.
What are the charges
incurred when searching the NJULS?
There are NO search charges, NO display holdings charges,
and NO connect time charges. The only charges are those
you currently pay for access to the Internet.
How is the NJULS
funded?
The NJULS is funded by the New Jersey State Library
primarily through New Jersey Library Network Aid and
also by Library Services and Technology Act funds. The
Virtual Academic Library Environment of New Jersey (VALE)
and Rutgers University also support the project.
Is there interlibrary
loan capability in the NJULS?
Not at present, however, this function will be added
in the future.
How do I ensure
that my holdings data is up to date in the NJULS?
OCLC library participants are required to update their
own records in the OCLC Union Listing Subsystem. The
New Jersey State Library, as the Serials Union List
Agent, updates the records of non-OCLC library participants.
What type of training
is available if I choose to do my own union listing
on OCLC?
There are two recommended workshops:
The WorldCat: Searching
& Navigation Basics workshop teaches participants
how to search through WorldCat (the OCLC Online Union
Catalog).
The Union List Basics
workshop covers the creation and maintenance of local
data records (LDRS) in the OCLC Union Listing Subsystem.
Instruction includes accessing and choosing serial records
for union listing, LDR creation, and an overview of
union listing guidelines. For additional information
on these workshops, please contact:
PALINET
3401 Market St.
Suite 262
Philadelphia, PA 19104
800-233-3401
www.palinet.org
Is NJULS a part
of the Statewide Bibliographic Database?
Yes. NJULS is one important component of the Statewide
Bibliographic database. Displaying the titles and volume
holdings of periodicals, newspapers, and serials in
libraries throughout New Jersey, NJULS provides direct
patron access for New Jersey residents.
How do I
become a participant in the NJULS?
Contact: Susan Kaplan
New Jersey State Library
PO Box 520
Trenton, NJ 08625-520
609-984-3286
skaplan@njstatelib.org
|
