We have them reviewed by the selection committee after we receive 2 or 3 issues.  If it looks substantial and like it would be a good addition to the collection we contact the publisher and ask why we received it and if we can get a free subscription.  Items the selection committee does not want are trashed.  At a previous academic library we would put them on a truck and put a free sign on them.

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU]On Behalf Of Hill, Katherine
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 10:52 AM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Handling free periodicals

    I'm wondering how you handle periodicals that are available through
a free subscription.  We are a community college library and have a few
such titles that relate to our curriculum.  Our experience is that they
arrive sporadically and we never know if we really have a subscription
or not.  Normally we won't subscribe to a title that is not indexed, but
for some of our curricula, we like to have everything we can get.  But
if they aren't indexed and don't show up in databases, they won't be
used.  Trying to get the faculty to encourage their use is an uphill
battle.
    The latest example we've received is Hygienetown.  The cover says
"Welcome to the Premier Issue!"  It is apparently a spinoff from Perio
Reports, which we get through our vendor.  Another example is Dimensions
of Dental Hygiene, free with web registration, but costing $40 from our
vendor.
    So my question is, do you catalog these and/or make room for them on
your shelves?    Or just pretend they don't exist and wash your hands of
the whole thing?

Katherine H. Hill

Department Chair

Serials/Circulation Librarian

North Campus Library

Erie Community College

6205 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221

716-851-1278