Where can I find answers to general questions about Ulrichsweb?

Why is it called Ulrich's?

Ulrich's is named after its originator -- Carolyn Farquhar Ulrich, who was Head of Periodicals at the New York Public Library. Ulrich's was first published in 1932 as "Periodicals Directory: A Classified Guide to a Selected List of Current Periodicals Foreign and Domestic." This title continued through the 3rd edition published in 1938. Then, with the 4th edition (1943), the title was changed to honor Ms. Ulrich and became "Ulrich's Periodicals Directory: A Selected Guide to Current Periodicals, Inter-American Edition" (with a focus on non-European titles because of the difficulty in getting information during WWII). From 1943-1965, the title was "Ulrich's Periodicals Directory." Then, with the 11th edition in 1965, it became known as "Ulrich's International Periodicals Directory," the title it held until the publication of the 39th edition in 2000, when it reverted to an earlier title, "Ulrich's Periodicals Directory." It also incorporated Irregular Serials and Annuals in 1988. Since its early days Ulrich's has been the global source for periodicals information.

What types of serials are not included in Ulrichsweb?

While aiming for maximum title coverage, Ulrichsweb has established certain criteria for inclusion. Ulrichsweb covers publications that meet the definition of a serial, except administrative publications of governmental agencies below state level that can be easily found elsewhere. A limited selection of membership directories, comic books, and puzzle and game books is also included.

Can a serial be included in Ulrichsweb if it does not have an ISSN?

Yes. Although an ISSN is not required for a title to be included in Ulrichsweb, it is strongly recommended that every eligible serial have an ISSN for each format in which the periodical is available.

Do publishers have to pay to get their titles included in Ulrichsweb?

No. There is no charge for a listing in Ulrichsweb. All listings are free. Participation and cooperation by publishers is encouraged in order to ensure Ulrichsweb provides its users with the most accurate and comprehensive serials information possible. Titles from more than 108,000 publishers are represented in Ulrichsweb.

What is a Refereed serial?

As used in Ulrich's, the term "refereed" is applied to a journal that implements the system of critical evaluation of manuscripts/articles by professional colleagues or peers.

Ulrich's gathers information about current peer-reviewed/refereed publications directly from publishers or from publisher websites, as well as from individual journal websites. The Ulrich's Content Operations team searches the websites for information about the journal's peer-review process, editorial board and policies, and other elements to assist in researching the publication. The information is supplemented by feedback from librarians and individuals associated with the publications. Until information can be confirmed, Ulrichsweb does not display a "Refereed" icon.

Ulrichsweb includes Open Access Journals. What does that mean?

Titles in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) are included in Ulrichsweb, as are other publications that support a funding model that does not charge readers or their institutions for access or use. Publications with limited free access -- such as those that may be available free only for a select period of time or that have other restrictions on free use -- are included in Ulrichsweb but are not found using the "Open Access" limiter. To find all free publications, a user can select the Price Type "Free" option in Advanced Search.

Does Ulrichsweb include information about where a title is abstracted and indexed?

Yes. Ulrichsweb tracks and updates comprehensive abstracting and indexing (A&I) coverage data from more than 600 sources worldwide including print indexes, online indexes, and indexing and citation databases such as Scopus and Web of Science.

What does it mean that Ulrichsweb maintains a "vendor-neutral" stance?

Serials information users rely on Ulrichsweb to provide an unbiased approach to data collection and the widest possible breadth of information about serials and serials providers. For this reason, Ulrichsweb includes publications from all types of publishers: commercial entities of all sizes, scholarly societies, independent and niche publishers, and not-for-profit organizations. In addition, Ulrichsweb collects and reports electronic availability data from as many providers as possible, including aggregators and publishers, abstracting and indexing services, document suppliers, reprint services, and others.

It is not Ulrichsweb policy to exclude a provider's information from Ulrichsweb records for competitive reasons. Similarly, Ulrichsweb is designed to work with a library's chosen link resolver, federated search tool, or local catalog regardless of vendor or ILS and includes many other linking options for mutual subscribers of key serials and e-resource services.

Are Ulrich's subject headings the same as Library of Congress or Dewey Decimal subject headings?

No. Ulrichsweb Subject Headings are proprietary subject headings used to classify the serials in the Ulrichsweb database. They are generally based on Library of Congress (LC) subjects, but are created and maintained by ProQuest.  Ulrich's Subject Headings are known and respected in the library community, patron-friendly, easy-to-utilize, and a flexible alternative to Dewey Decimal Classification and Library of Congress subject classifications for serials.

Do Ulrichsweb records contain information about a title's circulation?

Ulrichsweb contains circulation data for a wide range of serials, but mostly for US newspapers and for trade and consumer publications. Not every Ulrichsweb record contains circulation data. Where it is present, circulation data is displayed in the Demographics section of an Ulrich's record.

The circulation figures in Ulrich's records relate to the number of customers to whom the publication is sent per issue. Circulation is not related to the number of articles published per issue or the number of titles published each year.

Circulation designations in Ulrich's records reflect the type of circulation for the publication: "paid" (i.e., the number reflects paid subscriptions); "paid and controlled" (i.e., the number reflects the fact that some recipients pay for their subscriptions and others receive free issues); "controlled" (i.e., all of the subscribers are sent the publication as part of a group); and "unspecified" (i.e., the publisher has not specified the type of circulation). Ulrichsweb works with national circulation bureaus and associations as well as with publishers for the reporting of circulation figures for individual titles.

Is the list pricing given in Ulrichsweb for institutions or for individuals?

Pricing information includes a notation in regard to the list price type -- for example, "Institutional" or "Individual." Different price types may be searched using the Advanced Search feature in Ulrichsweb.

What types of libraries subscribe to Ulrichsweb?

Ulrichsweb subscribers include libraries and knowledge centers around the world and represent all types and sizes of public, private, academic, corporate, and government institutions.

How do libraries use Ulrichsweb?

Librarians, faculty, students, and patrons in subscribing libraries use Ulrichsweb for many purposes. Ulrichsweb is used by librarians who work in all facets of librarianship including collection development, selection, acquisitions, reference, research, and electronic resource management. Library patrons rely on Ulrichsweb to make serials search and discovery easy and effective, and Ulrichsweb brings them in-depth information on serials in more than 950 subject areas. Researchers in all disciplines rely on Ulrichsweb to help them identify periodicals in which to publish or which support their research interests.

Who else uses Ulrichsweb?

Publishers subscribe to Ulrichsweb to get the latest information about serials published around the world. The world of serials publishing is growing in complexity, and publishers rely on Ulrichsweb to keep them apprised of new publication launches, new electronic providers, journal transfers, and more. Research laboratories, corporate information centers, and other organizations use Ulrichsweb to meet their ongoing serials information needs.

How was Magazines for Libraries^TM chosen to provide reviews? Are there any other reviewing sources? 

Magazines for Libraries^TM is one of the most well-respected and trusted sources of critical, librarian-authored reviews about serial publications. Its scope goes well beyond magazines, and includes scholarly journals, A&I sources and databases. Magazines for Libraries has been published annually in print by ProQuest since 2007. Prior to that time, it was published by Bowker, which is now a part of ProQuest.

There are reviews from Library Journal and other sources for some Ulrichsweb titles. Ulrichsweb users can search for publications reviewed by any of the available sources using the Advanced Search feature.