Traveling serials policy

Scope: Policy statement on change to traveling serials

Contact: Virginia Martin

Units: Electronic Resources & Serials Acquisitions

Date created: 01/28/2025

Date last reviewed: 01/28/2025

Policy statement

Introduction

Duke University Libraries’ long-term practice of “traveling serials” has resulted in: 1) inaccurate, confusing serials holdings records due to the complex and unsustainable nature of the related workflow, and 2) the retention of large numbers of superseded volumes in the library’s collections. This Traveling Serials Policy was developed to establish more sustainable collection management practices for the affected titles and improve stewardship of library staff time and space resources.

What is a traveling serial?

At DUL, a “traveling serial” is a serial title for which the arrival of a new volume initiates the transfer of the older volume from its current location to a new location. Most serial volumes only
“travel” once, often from reference to stacks or the LSC, but some titles travel to up to four different locations as new volumes are received. The majority of DUL traveling serials are reference works that are superseded by newer volumes.

Policy

DUL will no longer “travel” serial titles by automatically initiating the transfer of older volumes to new locations upon receipt of a new volume. Instead of “traveling” serials, DUL selectors may:

• Designate titles for which superseded volumes will be discarded instead of moved to a new location.

• As part of their routine collections review work, request that a volume or volumes of a given title be withdrawn or moved to a new location, if needed.

Notes and use cases

Add updates below as the policy is applied and clarified through use.