ACQNET v5n003 (January 22, 1995) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/serials/stacks/acqnet/acqnet-v5n003 ISSN: 1057-5308 *************** ACQNET, Vol. 5, No. 3, January 22, 1995 ======================================== (1) FROM: Judith Jennjahn SUBJECT: Books vs. Videos (8 lines) (2) FROM: Thelma Diercks SUBJECT: Vendor Addresses (26 lines) (3) FROM: Brent Zupp SUBJECT: Where are Publishers? (21 lines) (4) FROM: Hunter Kevil & Stephanie Allen SUBJECT: Gifts & Exchange Practices (138 lines) (5) FROM: Norman Desmarais & Leslie Steffes SUBJECT: CD-ROM Vendors (42 lines) (1)---------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 06 Jan 1995 16:14:47 -0500 From: Judith Jennejahn (SUNY-Brockport) Subject: Books versus Videos I am interested in getting information about the current trend in schools and universities, in ordering videos in lieu of paper forms. Does anyone have any ideas, biases, information or citations concerning the pros and cons, etc. Thanks in advance. (2)---------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 06 Jan 1995 20:51:54 -0500 From: Thelma Diercks (Univ. of Hawaii) Subject: Vendor Addresses As a member of the Foreign Book and Serials Dealers Directory Committee I'm asking for help with addresses for certain vendors for whom we lack that information. These Asian vendors were listed in response to a survey. The Committee is completing a final (we hope) checking. If you can supply addresses, please send them to me (not the list). Thank you. Bangladesh Geological Survey of Bangladesh Japan Government Publications Service Center Malaysia Kedaibuku Koperatif PRC Peace Publications Unlimited Tianjin Publishing Corporation Vietnam Mediapoly (3)---------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 11 Jan 1995 17:46:25 -0500 From: Brent Zupp (Book News, Inc.) Subject: Where are Publishers? Compiling the Book News database requires that we communicate with, and try to understand, both publishers and librarians. We've found the Net to be a great way to chat with librarians, but as yet have found no way to do the same with publishers. Where on the Net do publishers communicate? Better yet--where, if anywhere, do publishers and librarians talk to one another? Are there many (any) publishers doing the sensible thing and listening in here? Brent Zupp ========================= Book News, Inc. booknews@wln.com ========================= [Ed. Note: We THINK this is where publishers are lurking! If so, let us hear from you!] (4)---------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 10 Jan 1995 14:52:46 -0500 From: L. Hunter Kevil (Univ. of Missouri-Columbia) Subject: Summary of responses to Gifts & Exchange query The original query was posted to SERIALST (but not to ACQNET, mea culpa). I am cross-posting here the summary I also sent to SERIALST. Reinventing Gifts & Exchange: Summary of responses thus far On November 22, I posted on SERIALST a message requesting suggestions about what to do with a traditional Gifts & Exchange unit. I would like to share with you several of the excellent messages I have received, in the hope of stimulating further discussion about the issues involved. G & E at the University of Missouri-Columbia: We have a unit that is very traditional and barnacle-laden. An assistant and a clerk are responsible (a) for gift materials (EXCEPT for gift periodicals), (b) for all exchanges (EXCEPT those received at Serials check-in), (c) for monographic receipts (EXCEPT those firm- ordered), (d) for processing analyzed standing orders (exceptions to the usual routine), (e) and for detritus from other departments, such as the microfilming, the processing of output from the University printer, and pre-cataloguing of theses and dissertations, as well as back-up for Data Entry. Some of the problems with this arrangement: (a) With two resignations in hand, we know that training the new people will be difficult, since they will have to learn the separate Acquisitions and Serials routines, in addition to all the Gifts routines. (b) Since G & E doesn't have a very clear focus, it is too tempting for other departments to dump extraneous tasks on G & E and lose the discipline and focus necessary to clarify and refine their own operations. To summarize in three sentences the principles that appear to undergird the responses received: A department should be organized around an easily comprehensible, cohesive core of tasks essential to the library's mission. We must eliminate operations and tasks, even units and departments, that are not essential. We need to simplify dramatically the tasks that are essential, and in particular eliminate the exceptions, the overlaps, the "hand-offs". Carole Bell at Northwestern writes that her unit is traditional and rather like MU's. An assistant handles gift books, exchanges, and does searching for OP material and other miscellaneous tasks. She adds that the ALCTS Gifts & Exchange discussion group meeting in Philadelphia will be held in conjunction with the OP discussion group. At Chicago this summer a G & E session on tax laws is planned. She also mentioned that there is an obvious need for a listserv devoted to G & E topics. One almost got going here at MU a few months ago, but with staffing at zero we cannot help. Any volunteers? David James at Johns Hopkins writes that his institution has deliberately tried to make gifts an integral part of Acquisitions and to eliminate as many special operations as possible. This process has taken three years, and, to no one's surprise, has not been easy. One person in Monographs handles gifts, with 20-30 hours of student help. Their routine begins with a search in OCLC and then in the local NOTIS database if nothing was found in OCLC. From this step on, it appears that gift materials are treated exactly like approval books. An interesting step involves using PROCITE software to maintain a database of all gifts received. (Necessary because of limitations in NOTIS's reporting capability?) Carol Hawks at Ohio States reports that they have carried simplification of exchange to the point of nearly eliminating it. Since the processing involved with exchanges is more expensive than the material itself, and particularly since they no longer have any free local publications, they have tried to eliminate as many exchange arrangements as possible. The first step was to have the selectors review all exchange material. What was not germane to the collection was cancelled. The second step was to look for alternatives to exchange for the remaining material. Where they could purchase the material or receive it as a gift, this was done. The result was that over 500 exchanges were eliminated, and a smaller number replaced with paid subscriptions. "Only a small number in predictable areas such as the former Soviet Union will remain as exchanges." Many, many thanks to the kind people who responded to yet another obstreperous request for help. If any of you would like to contribute to the discussion, please post your thoughts, or send me a message and I will summarize for the list a final time. Thanks, all of you. L. Hunter Kevil Head, Serials Department University of Missouri-Columbia +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Mon, 16 Jan 1995 14:39:01 -0500 From: Stephanie Allen (Yale U.) Subject: Automating an Exchange Program Back in November of 1994 I asked to hear about people's experiences with the automation of their exchange operations. I wondered what databases were being used, how they were being used, and how well they were meeting the needs of the people who used them. Seven libraries replied. Here is a brief summary of the major points of their responses. All of the libraries used a generic relational database package and built a customized database. Four libraries used versions of dBASE, while the remaining three used DataPerfect, FileMaker Pro, and Alpha Four. All of the databases were used to store exchange partner name and address information which could be used for the printing of mailing labels. Beyond this the design of each database and the way it was used varied from one library to another. Some of the libraries kept information on titles sent and titles received in their databases, while others entered only one of these two or neither. Libraries that entered title information in some cases entered prices and could either view or get a report on the cost of material sent to each partner; none appeared to be tracking the cost of materials received in their databases. Some libraries reported that titles received were recorded in both their PC databases and their online catalogs, but this did not appear to be a problem. Database design ranged from the relatively straightforward, such as separate files for partner names & addresses, for titles sent, and for titles received, to complex systems of numerous related files. All of the databases seemed to allow global updates to records, extensive searching options and convenient report generation. All of the libraries seemed to be satisfied with the databases they were using, and some described plans to expand them. My sincere thanks to those who took the time to share the results of their work. Stephanie Allen Acquisitions Department Yale University Library (5)---------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 12 Jan 1995 10:28:51 -0500 From: Norman Desmarais Subject: Acquiring CD-ROMs In response to Helen Mack's query about acquiring CD-ROMs of a popular nature, there are several companies that handle these types of titles. Educorp, Baker & Taylor, Ingram, Egghead Software, Barnes & Noble and many library media companies now carry the more popular titles. Companies that usually deal in library videotapes are expanding into CD-ROMs. Because of various types of distribution agreements, some titles may sell through some vendors but not others. Discounters like Crazy Bob's and Mr. CD-ROM are also good places to get titles cheap; but they sometimes seem to be something like remainder houses. Book vendors have seemed reluctant to get into distributing CDs, even though most of the titles now are less subscription-type publications and more one-time purchases like books and videos. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Tue, 17 Jan 1995 11:14:13 -0700 (MST) From: Leslie Steffes (Phoenix Public Lib.) Subject: CD-Rom Vendors Baker & Taylor supplies "popular" CD-Rom products. In fact, _The Haldeman Diaries_, is a title they stock. They offer both floppy disk and CD-Rom versions, and they will send a catalog upon request. Requests may be sent to Bill Hartman at: Baker & Taylor Software 3850 Royal Ave. Simi Valley, CA 93063 Tel: 805 522 9800 x241 Fax: 805 522 9900 ------------------------------------------------- | Leslie Steffes | | Bibliographic Services | | Phoenix Public Library | | 12 E. McDowell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85004 | | voice 602-495-5403 fax 602-495-5841 | ****** END OF FILE ****** ACQNET, Vol. 5, No. 3 ****** END OF FILE******