ABSTRACT
Using a random sample of periodicals checked in on the OCLC serials subsystem at Winthrop College’s Dacus Library, the author studied the utility of ISSN printed on periodical issues as a retriever of local data records. While the ISSN retrieved a unique record for less than half of the titles, it was successful in retrieving almost eighty percent of the local data records when a multi-step search was used. The authors conclude that the ISSN would be an even more useful tool for serials check-in if OCLC would take certain actions including implementing additional search enhancements.
