ACQNET v2n021 (February 13, 1992) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/serials/stacks/acqnet/acq-v2n021 ISSN: 1057-5308 *************** ACQNET, Vol. 2, No. 21, February 13, 1992 ========================================= (1) FROM: Christian SUBJECT: Who's new on ACQNET today (33 lines) (2) FROM: Sheila Mangum SUBJECT: Publications Exchange, Inc., Cuban periodicals (15 lines) (3) FROM: Judy Johnson SUBJECT: FAO titles published in Rome (11 lines) (4) FROM: Caleb Hanson SUBJECT: African approval plans (13 lines) (5) FROM: Caleb Hanson SUBJECT: Firm order claiming (14 lines) (6) FROM: Donna Signori SUBJECT: Returns (21 lines) (7) FROM: Joyce Ogburn SUBJECT: Library education (52 lines) (1) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: February 13, 1992 From: Christian Subject: Who's new on ACQNET today Kathy Rothermel Head, Monographic Acquisitions University of Nevada - Las Vegas Library E-mail: KROTH@NEVADA.EDU Kathryn Luther Henderson Professor Univ. of Illinois Grad. Sch. of Libr. & Info. Sci. E-mail: HENDERSO@ALEXIA.LIS.UIUC.EDU Ned Kraft Head, Monograph Orders Smithsonian Institution Libraries E-mail: LIBEM042@SIVM.BITNET Robert L. Wick Fine Arts Bibliographer Auraria Library E-mail: BWICK@CUDNVR.DENVER.COLORADO.EDU Frederica Davies Student Univ. of Kentucky College of Library & Info. Science E-mail: FADAVI00@UKCC.UKY.EDU Ann Waligorski Head, Acquisitions University of Arkansas Libraries E-mail: ANNW@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU (2) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 11 Feb 92 09:29:28 LCL From: Sheila Mangum Subject: FAO publications In the past, we purchased all of our Food and Agriculture (FAO) serials from UNIPUB/BERNAN. However, we've noticed that many of the titles are now being published in Rome and can no longer be supplied by UNIPUB. Does anyone know of a good vendor for the Rome publications, or is it better to order these publications directly from the United Nations. We've had very little luck in corresponding directly with the Rome office. (4) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1992 16:40 EST From: Caleb C. Hanson Subject: African approval plans When I was at Harvard, we had two African materials gathering plans. One was an approval plan with African Imprints Library Service (of Falmouth, Mass.) for all of sub-Saharan Africa except South Africa: this worked pretty well for us, and AILS accepted a high return rate. The second was with Hogarth, and was just for Nigerian materials; I don't remember if it was an approval plan or a blanket order, but I recall a signal-to-noise ratio that made it just barely worthwhile for us. (This was more than five years ago now, so specifics may be hazy and/or outdated; but both institutions are still in business, I'm sure of that.) (5) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 12 Feb 1992 16:42 EST From: Caleb C. Hanson Subject: Claiming At Wellesley, we've been struggling to keep up with our firm order claiming. One library assistant (out of 3.5) is responsible for claiming (along with searching, receiving, etc.), but reviewing all open orders on a quarterly basis is just not working out. (We have the INNOVACQ system, which pulls together files of eligible claims well enough - except these files have a limited capacity, which we have to work around - but we review these manually to screen out inappropriate claims.) Is our schedule unrealistic? Is automation somehow to blame? How much of your staff time is devoted to the claiming process? (6) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 12 Feb 92 17:40:34 PST From: Donna Signori Subject: Returns I think there is an unacceptable rate of return to vendors, but at the same time libraries shouldn't have to retain materials which are unsuitable for retention. If a library is operating with approval plans it has the responsi- bility, especially in this day and age of fiscal economy, to see that the monies are well spent. They are well spent if the vendor profiles are up to date and reflect as closely as possible the curricula and research of the institution. Given this assumption the rate of return should be minimal. The other possibility is that if the rate of return is high and the profiles are current, the librarian may be in need of some instruction or guidance. I think vendors have to expect that libraries are wanting to spend their money very cautiously today and should be reasonable about accepting returns. In fairness to the librarians, the selection slips we work with are often not very informa- tive and we cannot look for reviews on every title purchased even if they did exist for all newly published materials. Selection is an imprecise art as I continually repeat to my selectors and those who try to pigeon-hole it will be hopelessly frustrated!!! (7) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 13 Feb 1992 12:08:20 U From: Joyce Ogburn Subject: The benefit of the MLS We have been treated to nice summations of why and how the MLS educational experience has benefitted librarians. I would like to add just a few additional words on this subject. Professional schools and programs are meant to serve several purposes, the key ones being: 1) providing a common professional knowledge base; 2) conveying appropriate research and analysis methods; 3) preparing students for a career in librarianship; and 4) recruiting prospective librarians into the profession. As for number 1: the postings have touched on this to some extent by talking about the program providing context for them. This is extremely important because context is what allows us to manage, not perform, acquisitions responsibilities. It allows us to anticipate and adapt to change. It allows us to provide continuing and good service to all of our constituents. Professional programs are designed to convey accepted and substantiated view of the theory, goals, and principles of the profession. This is not something easily learned on the job. And number 2: professional programs provide practitioners with the means to understand and apply research and decision-making processes. Our professional programs should endow us with the ability to formulate and carry out research and analysis, but also with the ability to understand and evaluate the research of others. We should be better managers because of this. As for 3: professional schools prepare their students for careers, not jobs. We should be able to advance, change, and adapt as we go through our many years of librarianship. The foundation should be laid through numbers 1 and 2. And 4: recruitment is often an afterthought to us. Recruitment through the professional degree means that students have gone through steps 1, 2, and 3 and should be able to decide whether this profession is what they seek, and whether they want to specialize, etc. This is a step in the acculturation process and helps students to focus their career choices. Granted, these 4 things don't always hold true; every MLS program varies in its approach and success, but these four things describe what professional programs are all about. My personal philosophy on the MLS program is this: its what you make of it, and you get out of it what you put into it. I was extremely fortunate to attend the UNC Chapel Hill program and not only study with the likes of Lester Asheim, but to spend countless additional hours talking to him outside of class. Chapel Hill also has a doctoral program and I spent time with some of the students, some of whom I am still close to. Its easy to go to class and leave and never interact on any other level. But going beyond the requirements will leave its mark on you. The part time facet of many MLS seeking students' schedules may get in the way of this. But the opportunity is there to be found and to be taken advantage of. ******* END OF FILE ****** ACQNET, Vol. 2, No. 21 ****** END OF FILE *******