ACQNET v6n024 (August 31, 1996) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/serials/stacks/acqnet/acqnet-v6n024 ISSN: 1057-5308 *************** ACQNET, Vol. 6, No. 24, August 31, 1996 ======================================== (1) FROM: Carol Chamberlain SUBJECT: Editorial Board response (32 lines) (2) FROM: Eleanor Cook SUBJECT: Summary of Subscriber Comments (102 lines) (1)--------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 05 Jun 1996 16:18:59 -0500 (EST) From: Carol Chamberlain (Northeastern Univ.) Subject: Response to Christian's Letter [Ed. note: Carol, who is a member of the editorial board, was not able to be included when I posted the issue with the other replies in June. Here are her comments, albeit late.] With praise for the eloquence of my colleagues, I would like to affirm my support of their responses, and to add some further points as well. Email is no longer as exciting for some of us, given the press of demands on our time and energy, and given that email is no longer "new." We quickly scan our messages daily and, with a greater volume of mail, we are not often thoughtful or introspective. Introspection is important for all of us, and for our profession, but, it does not have to occur in the electronic medium, in order to occur at all. ACQNET has evolved as the needs of its readers have evolved, and it has indeed had a tremendous and immeasurable impact on the acquisitions profession, just as the Charleston and Feather River conferences have, too. I believe that there are positive actions for all of us, as ACQNET readers, to take. To stimulate discussion on this topic is a critical first step (and one that is underway!). Perhaps another is for the Editorial Board to consider new ways to better serve the readership and to stimulate discussion. Christian's request challenges us to do this. [Ed. note: See ideas below assisting with this] Carol Chamberlain Associate Dean, Technical Services and Systems Development Northeastern University Libraries (2)---------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Eleanor Cook, Editor, ACQNET SUBJECT: Summary of replies Below are some quotes from various postings received. I chose them because of their creativity, humor, or thematic relevance. At the end of these quotes I list everyone who contributed to the discussion. THANKS TO YOU ALL. "I have read Christian's letter and he is far too idealistic. He seems to want ACQNET to be some type of huge beacon of light - full of blazing ideas and hot discussion about issues of major concern. What it [ACQNET] is instead is a very good flashlight - steady, reliable and very useful." The one person who was critical tended to prefer the spontaneity of lists like AUTOCAT and referred to ACQNET as "opaque." I am not sure what that means, but I think it was a valid criticism. One vendor referred to the practice of "lurking" and how they do so in order to head off "brushfires." I am interested in hearing more about this. "Summaries of conferences are worth their weight in gold." I would like to point out, especially to colleagues in other countries, that _Library Acquisitions: Practice and Theory_ and _Against the Grain_ both do an excellent job of providing summaries of conference meetings related to acquisitions. These are the best sources to find this kind of reporting. As much as I would like ACQNET to compliment their coverage, I simply have not been able to get the kind of coverage the print sources do. I wish more people would volunteer to provide ACQNET with concise reports about interesting meetings they attend that are relevant to acquisitions librarianship. "We are on the beach staring at the tidal wave of change approaching us. Is this the correct time to be waxing philosophical? Or should we be heading for higher ground?" What a great question! "We got into this line of work because it is practical and it deals with quantifiable results." This was a very common theme in many replies. "A FAQ Section would be helpful" I would like to see this developed. Any volunteers to help? One respondent reported that the German acquisitions list has been following these developments and has reposted the original on their list. I find this gratifying. If any of you out there monitor that list, let me know what the Germans are thinking about this! "There are people at all levels of experience and with diverse interests who subscribe to ACQNET." "Not everyone is a librarian - keep in mind that ACQNET is *not* just for acquisitions librarians anymore." This is one of the MOST important points made thus far. ACQNET is not just a list of acquisitions librarians, as it may have been early on. There are many support staff, vendors and publishers on this list. There is diverse set of people who manage acquisitions from all types of libraries and businesses. It would be very interesting to find out exactly what the demographics are. Would anyone be interested in designing a survey and compiling the results? I think we would all be surprised and enlightened. "With 1600 subscribers, something must be working for someone." "ACQflashes as discreet sound bites is good." This was echoed by many. "Helpful and even entertaining at times; creates a sense of community." "Please post responses to the list." This was urged over and over again. The sense of inadequacy among subscribers appears to be rampant. And yet, not one of the responses I received about the future of ACQNET was unprintable. All were articulate and completely unembarassing. I believe we need people to get over their shyness! How can we do this? To the following people I give my thanks for their replies: Editorial Board members: Carol Chamberlain, Cynthia Coulter, Marylou Hale, Joyce Ogburn, and Peter Stevens. And special thanks to Anna Belle Leiserson who is ex-officio on the Board. Subscribers: [If I have left you out inadvertently, please let me know!] Martin Cohen -- Peggy Johnson -- Katherine White -- Patricia Fairfield -- Lenore Cohen -- John Hempstead -- Janet Flowers -- Susan Albrecht -- Carmen Socknat -- Kathy Jackson -- Joanne Ackeroyd -- Travis Cox -- Celia Wagner -- Sandy Barstow -- Mildred Merz -- Susan Korson -- Marsha Hamilton -- Daniel Evans -- Floyd Zula -- Jim Vickery -- Yvonne Lev -- Pamela Bluh -- Ned Kraft Susan Flood -- Pete Boll -- Julie Bixby -- Marsha Clark -- Pekka Pasanen -- Ellen Duranceau -- Brian McLaughlin -- Irene Kan -- Donna Packer -- Norman Vogt -- Denna Medzie -- Cecilia Harel -- Cynthia Aninao -- Linda Early -- Gary Hudson -- Lynne Murphy -- June DeGennaro -- Maggie Wineburgh-Freed -- Mary Ellen Kenreich -- Barbara Dean -- Karen Mokrzycki -- Sarah Cole-Hill -- Linda Carr -- Halina de Maurivez -- Jackie Glick -- Colleen Weum -- Jill Long -- Gretchen Gabbert and dozens of other colleagues who spoke to me personally at various conferences and meetings over the summer. The bottom line to all this is that ACQNET must continue to be what the subscribers want it to be. However, it's continued survival depends on dedicated people who will take the time to keep it going. ACQNET will not continue by itself or just with me. We must have reliable individuals who can help me. I just *know* there are people out there who want to help. If you are one of them, let me know. I need help with lots of things but mostly I need people who have technical skills and *time*. I realize the latter is a precious commodity these days. Every comment and every offer will be considered seriously! ****** END OF FILE ****** ACQNET, Vol. 6, No. 24 ****** END OF FILE ******