Library Serials

The Serials module manages periodicals and other continuing resources: journals, magazines, newspapers, annuals and standing orders. It tracks each subscription and the individual issues received against it.

Open it from Library Management → Serials.

Serial records

A serial record describes the title as a continuing resource (rather than a single book). Create one for each periodical you receive, capturing its title, identifying numbers (ISSN), publisher and the subscription details. Existing serials are listed on the Serials page; open one to see its issues and subscription, or edit/delete it.

Subscriptions

A subscription records how you receive the serial — the vendor or agent, the period covered, frequency and renewal information. Use it to know when a subscription is due for renewal and which budget or order it relates to.

Issues

Issues are the individual parts that arrive over time (for example each weekly or monthly number).

• Add / receive an issue as it arrives, recording its enumeration (volume/number), chronology (cover date) and the date received.
• Tracking received issues lets you spot gaps (missing or late numbers) so they can be claimed from the supplier.
• Received issues can be linked to holdings so patrons can see what the library holds.

Typical workflow

1. Create the serial record for the title.
2. Attach a subscription with the supplier, frequency and renewal date.
3. Receive each issue as it arrives, checking the expected enumeration.
4. Review the issue list periodically for gaps and claim missing numbers.

Tips

• Keep the frequency and enumeration consistent so gap detection is meaningful.
• Link serials to the relevant vendor in Acquisitions to keep renewal and payment information together.