Subscription Decisions (Info. Request) Birdie MacLennan 14 Aug 1992 02:32 UTC
2 messages, 62 lines: ------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 16:58:10 PDT From: Mitch Turitz <turitz@SFSUVAX1.SFSU.EDU> Subject: Re: Info Request: Subscription Decisions In response to an 8/13/92 message from an editor of Strategies: To the editor (since you did not identify yourself): I think probably the best way for a librarian to decide if a journal is appropriate for his/her library is if a sample copy is received so that it can be evaluated by the appropriate selector. Another (but not as good method) is to have it reviewed in an academic journal or library journal (ask your local reference librarian to show you some of these and the reviews). Unfortunately, I think this is a very bad economic time to try to sell new journals to libraries. Libraries world-wide are cutting back on their periodical subscriptions and most academic libraries are struggling to maintain the existing subscriptions they have to support the curriculums(?). I would say, personally, that the two most important factors in determining if a periodical should be purchased is: 1.) relevance to the mission of the library (e.g. in academic libraries, support of the classes - required reading, etc), and, 2.) COST! This year we had to cancel approximately 500 periodical titles, including: Sesame street, and, Brain Research (those are two DIFFERENT titles, not one, ;-) ********************************************** * Mitch Turitz, Serials Librarian * * San Francisco State University Library * * 1630 Holloway Ave., S.F., CA 94132 * * Voice: (415) 338-7883 FAX: (415) 338-6199 * * Internet: turitz@sfsu.edu * ********************************************** As usual, should you or any of your opinions be caught or killed, the library will disavow any knowledge of your actions. -- From our friendly lawyers at Dewey, Cheatum & How ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 18:07:00 EST From: Ellen Rappaport <RAPPAPE%SLSCVA@SNYCENVA.BITNET> Subject: Re: Info Request: Subscription Decisions Journals are also reviewed (as books are) in some of the library journals. Sorry, it's been too long since I've done that sort of library work to give you specific citations, but you'll probably get some suggestions on Bitnet. If not, ask your nearest reference librarian where s/he would look for reviews of new journals. Ellen Rappaport Free-lancing, more involved with library automation than with buying journals, these days. RAPPAPE%SLSCVA@SNYCENVA Albany, NY