Re: inventory

[Karen Perone <peroneka@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Sylvia Winder wrote:
> I'm interested in ideas on doing an inventory of our library collection.
> We plan to do a "spot" inventory on the most heavily used areas.
> Ideas on what or what not to do, would be greatly appreciated.

Some basic ideas come to mind immediately, as inventory of our entire 
collection (4 locations) has taken over my life this year. I am assuming 
that you will be using the Inventory module with a B321 or similar device.

First, make sure the first and last items have the same location codes. 
This may sound like a no-brainer, but our collection has items from 
different locations interfiled (YA in with Adult, Western cassettes with 
Western novels, etc.) This along with the next item can make or break 
your inventory.

Make sure the first call number is less than the last call number and 
that there is in fact a call number in the records. For instance, if you 
use accession numbers for recordings, and the first CD is CD-4 and the 
last CD is CD-1150, the system won't process it because it is reading 
the call numbers as decimals.

If your collection is strictly LC or Dewey, you shouldn't have too many 
problems.

Mieko Yamaguchi and I gave an IUG presentation a few years ago on 
Creative Uses of Inventory to get around some of the processing problems 
you may encounter along the way. The presentation is available on our 
web site at http://www.rodman.lib.oh.us/iug/inventory.

There was a very good program on inventory this past IUG conference by 
Sara Leake and Jill Engle. Details are on the IUG web site at 
http://www.innovativeusers.org/iug2003/programs/F4/

Good luck!

-- 
Karen Perone              peroneka@xxxxxxxxxx
Systems Coordinator
Rodman Public Library     voice: 330-821-2665
215 E. Broadway Street    fax: 330-821-5053
Alliance, OH 44601        http://www.rodmanlibrary.com