Re: [Fwd: Re: [SERIALST] Aggressive vendor, not understanding a librarian's function] Ian Woodward 06 Nov 2007 13:45 UTC
If I understand correctly, Centium produces this database. They are not an intermediary on the order of subscription agents, so the changes in mode of purchasing to which you make reference would not explain their behavior. As for the economy in general, gross domestic product is not contracting (and, btw, economic contractions over the last 25 years have been less frequent and milder than was the case in the years running from 1938 through 1982). It has been noted that the source of these e-mails is the company president. It think it a reasonable inference that Centium is his baby. One might surmise that the traits of character and personality that induce you to go into business for yourself have their disagreeable aspect. I think C.S. Lewis once wrote an essay on the theme of vice being virtues gone sour. IW I. Woodward Serials Office Colgate University Libraries Case Library and Geyer Center for Information Technology 13 Oak Drive Hamilton, N.Y. 13346 Ph.: 315-228-7306 Fax: 315-228-7029 -----Original Message----- From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Howlett, Lee Ann Sent: Monday, November 05, 2007 3:51 PM To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Re: [SERIALST] [Fwd: Re: [SERIALST] Aggressive vendor, not understanding a librarian's function] I think the economy is part of the problem. However, we have found that for our electronic only journal packages, it's easier for us to order directly from the publisher. I've talked with a number of other librarians who are doing the same. This has to be hurting journal vendors. We only use a vendor now for the small number of print journals we subscribe to along with electronic journals that are not part of any consortial packages. Having said this, it still makes no business sense to insult and/or threaten librarians and their libraries. ____________________________________ Lee Ann Howlett, MA, AHIP Head, Serials Dept. Shimberg Health Sciences Library University of South Florida 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 31 Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 974-9080 Fax (813) 974-7032 LHOWLETT@HEALTHLIB.USF.EDU -----Original Message----- From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum on behalf of Barbara Pope Sent: Mon 11/5/2007 2:35 PM To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: [SERIALST] [Fwd: Re: [SERIALST] Aggressive vendor, not understanding a librarian's function] I agree. Someone from IBISWorld (different vendor that who we are talking about, but sound like he went to the same salesman's school) just called me and insisted on setting up a trial. When we evaluate a potential product, we usually have a reference librarians meetings, compare it to other products we already have to determine if it duplicates anything. If it is a journal database, we found out what journals are indexed, how much full text, and whether that overlaps with our other products. Usually we only do a trial if we are relatively sure that we can, and want to, buy it, but this salesman didn't get it. Someone from Standard and Poors was also very persistent, even sending email to the Business College. Honestly, sometimes I feel the sales people are so desperate they are willing to sell me anything. Does this have something to do with the economy or maybe they have a quota or something? Barbara Pope, MALS Periodicals/Reference Librarian Axe Library Pittsburg State University Pittsburg KS 66762