About Serials
Mission
To acquire, manage, and provide timely and accurate access to the University
Libraries’ serials collections in all formats.
About the Serials Unit
University Libraries’ Serials unit is responsible for management
of serials and continuing resources in all collections and all formats
on the main and branch campuses. Responsibility includes binding, acquisitions,
and cataloging functions. The unit consists of a serials librarian and
four specialists. They perform traditional serials control and binding
tasks, MARC holdings maintenance, original and edit cataloging, database
maintenance and repair, electronic resource management, and acquisitions
functions. The Serials unit utilizes local and standard cataloging tools,
principles, and guidelines as determined by the Cataloging unit. Individual
bibliographic records are used for each physical format.
What are serials in University Libraries?
Any materials published and received on a continuing basis are considered
to be serials.
- Journals, periodicals, newspapers, newsletters
- Microforms
- Conference proceedings
- Databases
- Electronic journals
- Government documents
- Law and looseleaf publications
- Monographic series
- Music series
- Reference materials, abstracts, indexes
They are located in all collections in Cook, Gulf Coast, and McCain
Libraries.
- de Grummond
- Genealogy
- Government Documents
- Main circulating collection
- Media
- Microforms
- Mississippiana
- Music
- Network
- Periodicals
- Reference
- Special Collections
Do serials circulate?
Most serials do not circulate. However there are some exceptions: monographic
and music series and annual publications located in the library collections.
When are serials bound?
Every two weeks a new shipment is sent to the bindery and the completed
shipment is returned. Newly bound volumes are on the shelf within 2
days of return. Library users can check the Library's Catalog to determine if an issue
is currently at the bindery.
What are the responsibilities of the Serials
Unit?
The Serials Unit in Cook Library centrally manages, either directly
or indirectly, all aspects of serials located in any collection of University
Libraries.
- Acquisitions and orders
- Catalog display
- Annual move of bound volumes from 2nd Floor South to Stacks
- Bibliographic records
- Binding
- Cataloging
- Check-in
- Claiming
- Electronic journals and continuing databases
- Invoices
- Item records
- Filing of looseleaf updates, pocket parts
- Maintenance of all records related to serials
- Maintenance of title and call# labels in 2nd Floor South for
current periodicals and microform serials
- MARC holdings
- Processing (call# labels, barcodes, checkout slips, ownership
stamps, security devices, plastic covers)
- Serial control
- Subscription renewals
