Worst Serial Title Change of the Year Award Fires Its Final Volley in Chicago
Editor's note: For the benefit of those who missed the ALCTS Award presentation on June 26th, we present in its entirety the script of the Worst Serial Title Change of the Year Award presentation, 2005, the final hurrah for this longstanding tradition and joke among technical-services types. The group choral experience was truly unforgettable!
Good afternoon. I am Maggie Horn, Member-at-Large of the Serials Section of ALCTS, former chair of the Worst Serial Title Change of the Year Award Committee, and the designated representative of the current Committee to present this year's award.
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the Award, the Committee decided to do something special this year - the Worst of the Worst! A very difficult decision indeed!
- Perhaps 1974's International journal of obstetrics and gynecology, which changed to International journal of gynecology and obstetrics?
- Or 2002's Ulrich's international periodical directory, which changed to Ulrich's periodical directory, thus reverting to an earlier title?
- Or what about anything from IEEE!
After due deliberation, the Committee decided:
1982's "This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land" Worst Serial Title Change of the Year, and the Worst of the Worst, goes to
"Our public lands," which changed to
"Your public lands." [pause .... Scroll opened]
Hear ye, hear ye,
Whereas, the Worst Serial Title Change of the Year Award Committee (hereinafter referred to as WSTCYAC) has just presented the Worst Serial Title Change Award in thirty years, celebrating thirty years of the award; and
whereas, the 30th anniversary of this award was last year; and
whereas, this means that the WSTCYAC has skipped an issue; and
whereas, this means that the WSTCYAC has misnumbered; and
whereas, in 2003 the AACR2 changed to require both a Worst Serial Minor Change of the Year Award and a Worst Serial Major Change of the Year Award; and
whereas, WSTCYAC would have to change its title (and possibly split in two) and also account for the misnumbering,
therefore, the WSTCYAC in its current form as a committee of ALA/ALCTS/SS must take a cue from the instructions on Mission Impossible and self destruct in two minutes!
But, in the time left to the committee, I would like all attendees here to join in singing for possibly the first and most probably (and thankfully) the last time,
Serials . . .
Serials
Melody: Edelweiss
Serials, serials,
Every morning you greet me.
Numbered strange, titles change,
Every day you defeat me.
Prices once low, now you rise and grow,
Rise and grow, forever.
Serials, serials,
Would I escape you, O never. As published in
Title Varies, 4, nos. 2&3 (Mar–May 1977): 8. Lyrics by Marjorie Peregoy and Sharon Smith of Texas A&M; melody by Richard Rodgers (Sound of Music—no, it isn’t a traditional Austrian folk tune!)
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