Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Makerspace • Readers Advisory • Library Analytics

Serials Management

Term from Library Services industry explained for recruiters

Serials Management refers to handling subscriptions of ongoing publications like journals, magazines, newspapers, and digital subscriptions in libraries. It's similar to managing magazine subscriptions, but on a much larger scale for libraries. This includes tracking when new issues arrive, making sure subscriptions are renewed on time, and helping people find the materials they need. Think of it as being in charge of making sure a library's collection of magazines and journals is complete, up-to-date, and easily accessible to readers.

Examples in Resumes

Managed over 500 print and digital subscriptions through Serials Management system

Reduced subscription costs by 15% through effective Serials budget planning

Implemented new Serial Management workflow to track missing issues and claims

Coordinated Serials Management for both print and electronic resources

Typical job title: "Serials Librarians"

Also try searching for:

Serials Librarian Periodicals Librarian Electronic Resources Librarian Technical Services Librarian Collections Management Librarian Acquisitions Librarian

Where to Find Serials Librarians

Professional Organizations

Job Boards

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you handle a major budget cut affecting your serials subscriptions?

Expected Answer: A senior professional should discuss strategies like usage analysis, negotiating with vendors, consortium deals, and alternative access methods, while maintaining essential resources for library users.

Q: How do you stay current with trends in electronic resource management?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of industry developments, mention professional development activities, and discuss experience with transitioning from print to electronic resources.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you handle missing issues and claims with vendors?

Expected Answer: Should explain the process of tracking receipts, identifying gaps, communicating with vendors, and maintaining good records of claims and resolutions.

Q: Describe your experience with subscription management systems.

Expected Answer: Should discuss familiarity with common library management systems, explain how they use them for tracking subscriptions, and mention experience with both print and electronic resources.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What's the difference between a serial and a monograph?

Expected Answer: Should explain that serials are ongoing publications (like magazines and journals) while monographs are one-time publications (like books).

Q: How do you process new journal issues when they arrive?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic check-in procedures, recording receipt dates, updating records, and preparing materials for shelving or digital access.