Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 10:49:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Lauren Corbett <lcorbett@ODU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Serials review (Peter Jansen)

I strongly suggest you read

Kleniner, Jane P. and Charles A. Hamaker.  "Libraries 2000:
Transforming Libraries Using Document Delivery, Needs Assessment, and
Networked Resources".  College & Research Libraries, July 1997, pg
355-374.

> Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 13:09:41 +0000
> From: P.Jansen@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
> Subject: Serials Review
>
> Dear Serialist
>
> The Philson Medical Library (part of the University of Auckland
> Library system) has been asked to undertake a serials review
> exercise. This has two aims:
>
> (1) focussing on how our collection meets the needs of our user group.
> The user group includes both medical researchers and clinicians.
>
> (2) how to decrease the overall cost of our subscriptions in a
> balanced way.
>
> Both of the aims are concurrent. Whilst the overall level of our
> subscriptions will be reduced this exercise may involve replacement of
> titles as opposed to mere cancellation. We currently subscribe to
> over 800 medical journals.
>
> The first stage in this process is determining the most suitable
> methodology for achieving these aims. Our initial inclinations are
> towards some sort of user survey distributed amongst staff and
> postgraduate students. The contents of this survey, or even whether
> such a survey is preferable, is currently our primary query.
>
> We would like feedback to identify any successful methodologies people
> have used or have read about in library and/or survey literature.
>
> We are hoping to complete this survey over a period of 2-4 months.
>
> Looking forward to your suggestions.
>
> Regards
> Peter Jansen
> Acquisitions Librarian
> Philson Library
> University of Auckland
> Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
> Phone (+64 9) 373 7599 ext 6131
> Fax (+64 9) 373 7491
>

Lauren Corbett
Serials Services Librarian
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA
(757) 683-4144