INFLUENTIAL VARIABLES IN SERIALS AUTOMATION - AN AUSTRALIAN CASE-STUDY

Management of serial publications in an automated environment is a con tinuing challenge. The most technically advanced serials system may no t necessarily be the one selected for a particular library because a n umber of variables can influence the decision. This article outlines a case study on the evolution of computerized serials control in New So uth Wales (NSW) Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Library Service s, one of the largest library systems in Australia. The emphasis of th e study is on the identification and analysis of influential variables affecting serials automation in NSW TAFE libraries. The author conclu des that a successful approach to serials automation depends on carefu l definition of needs, informed evaluation of the capabilities of the systems offered, and, equally important, the political awareness and t actical skills of library managers.