We retain most of our journals on microfiche.  It is a great space saver.
The biggest hurdle to overcome is users' 'perceived' inconvenience with
using microfiche.  I say 'perceived' because although we have very modern
machines that make copies as legible if not more legible that your average
photocopy, most students and faculty I speak to have memories of the old
technology.  We are trying to convince them that fiche is not half as bad as
it use to be, and it IS being used in our library.  However, I do wonder
about the future of microfiche.  It seems that a digital archive would be
more useful and user friendly than fiche.

Buddy Pennington
Acquisitions/Serials Librarian
Rockhurst University Greenlease Library
buddy.pennington@rockhurst.edu
#816-501-4143

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Picerno [mailto:ppicerno@CHOCTAW.ASTATE.EDU]
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2000 3:01 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: Serials weeding & retention issues

Slote's book on Weeding in Libraries seems to be the accepted text ... and
one solution to weeding shelf-hogging periodical back issues might be to
replace them with microfilm.

Dr. Peter V. Picerno
Collection Development Team Leader
Dean B. Ellis Library
Arkansas State University
State University, AR 72467
(870) 972-3078
Fax: (870) 972-3199
<ppicerno@CHOCTAW.ASTATE.EDU>

----- Original Message -----
From: Birdie MacLennan <bmaclenn@zoo.uvm.edu>
To: <SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2000 11:42 AM
Subject: Serials weeding & retention issues

> Editor's note:  What follows are two messages, apparently unrelated --
> though the SERIALST moderators received them within 15 minutes of each
> other.  Basically they ask similar questions for information about weeding
> and retention policies.  Responses to SERIALST would be appreciated, so
> that information can be shared (no doubt, others are also interested).
> Thanks.  -Birdie MacLennan, Moderator
>
> 2 messages, 57 lines:
>
> (1)-------------------------
> Date:         Wed, 12 Jan 2000 11:39:10 -0500
> From:         Amy Gunn <agunn@MC3.EDU>
> Subject:      Serials retention policies
>
> We are a community college (about 33 years old) and for the first time
> really facing some severe shelving issues.  Our periodicals are kept in an
> area alone (of about 12, 4-6 unit ranges; it really is quite large), not
> classified and shelved in the stacks.  We have open stacks, so not much is
> done in the way of use statistics except for the things that are requested
> form the storage facility on campus.  If anyone would be able to share
> some of their trials and policy statements for serials retention we would
> be appreciative.  How long do you keep the news magazines, like Time,
> Newsweek, Sports Illustrated and US News?  Do you have a storage facility
> on campus for older titles?  What constitutes older titles?  If you "weed"
> periodical runs without getting rid of an entire title, how do you base
> your decisions?
>
> Please feel free to contact me personally.
> Amy Gunn
> agunn@mc3.edu
> Public/Electronic Services Librarian
> Montgomery County Community College
> Blue Bell, PA
>
> (2)-------------------------
> Date:         Wed, 12 Jan 2000 11:52:47 EST
> From:         Elizabeth Horn <horn_elizabeth@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Subject:      Weeding & retention issues
>
> I was wondering if anyone could suggest an article/book/resource that is
> especially helpful in its discussion of retention and weeding decisions
> preferably (but not necessarily) in Public Libraries. I am embarking on a
> large project to cut fat and reclaim space and have compiled a
bibliography
> from my lit search- but was curious as to what resources others have found
> to be helpful. Also, any advice or practical experience info would be
> greatly appreciated!
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Beth Horn
>
> Elizabeth Horn
> Reference and Serials Librarian
> Roanoke City Public Library
> Roanoke, VA
> <horn_elizabeth@HOTMAIL.COM>