4 messages, 185 lines:

(1)---------------------------
Date:         Thu, 28 Jan 1999 08:49:00 -0600
From:         Dena Luce <dluce@FAULKNER.EDU>
Organization: Faulkner University
Subject:      Re: How long do you keep trying on BACKSERV?

Sunee,  what I can't get from Ebsco's missing copy bank I request on
BACKSERV.  I then will make a couple of requests for items, waiting 6 months
to a year usually for responses.  We will usually just bind without the
issues if we haven't been able to obtain them within a year of the initial
request.

Dena Lahue Luce, M.L.S.                     (334) 260-6209 phone
Public Services Librarian                      (334) 260-6299 fax
Faulkner University                             dluce@faulkner.edu
Gus Nichols Library
5345 Atlanta Hwy.
Montgomery, AL 36109-3398

(2)---------------------------
Date:         Thu, 28 Jan 1999 10:32:10 -0500
From:         Carol Feustel <FEUSTECS@UCMAIL.UC.EDU>
Subject:      Re: How long do you keep trying on BACKSERV?
Comments: cc: SuneeGrima@AOL.COM

Dear Sunee and other Serialsters,

I've been a participant in Backserv/Backmed since its inception and I LOVE
it.  You have asked several good questions in past messages, which I will
answer with my 'standard procedure.'

1. Postage:             You can use the postage paid labels if you wish, but
most of us began by purchasing a supply of stamps and just trading the
stamps.  Most libraries request their shipments be sent Library Rate (1
pound for $1.12, $.41 for each additional pound) as it is substantially
cheaper than First Class (1 pound is over $3.00).  I have a cost list from
our post office and a scale and put my own stamps on all packages except
those going out of the country.  Those going out of the country are sent
Surface Rate and the postage money comes from our department's account.

Many libraries reimbursed with current First Class stamps.  I use these for
my regular work letter mailings and also sell them to staff members for
their personal use.  I sold many, many excess 1c stamps to library staff
members when the postage increased this month.  The money I receive from
selling stamps goes into purchasing more $1 for my shipping and
reimbursements.

2. Checking the lists:          As many have stated, check them daily and
respond PROMPTLY if you find something you need.  It's amazing how quickly
issues can be snatched up.  Searching the Archives is usually not successful
for the same reason, that issues are claimed quickly.

3. How long do you keep trying:         USBE recommends waiting 3 months
between requesting an issue a second (or more) time.  Using this guideline,
I send a "wish list" to USBE about every 3 months.  I keep searching the
lists until I receive the issue either from the list or from USBE.   I only
send a wish list to other dealers annually as their issues cost
substantially more.

Our policy is to try for five years to replace the issue, then bind
incomplete.  Exceptions are made as appropriate to the title, eg:
newsletters are not replaced, we'll try longer for heavily used titles.

4. When you are ready to place an available or needed list on Backserv, use
the format that most participants use.  In your subject line use either
AVAILABLE or NEEDED as your first word, whichever is appropriate.  After the
first word, tell what the list contains; eg:
AVAILABLE: A-C
        AVAILABLE: Journal of Biological Chemistry
        NEEDED:  Lancet

In the body of your message clearly list the issues available or needed.
        J. American Medical Association v.281 #1 1999
        Newsweek                v.1 #1 1999

If your available issues are in any condition other than pristine, state the
condition. We will accept issues with writing on the cover or ones that have
successfully survived a short stay in the library collection if we know at
the time of request, but most others are not wanted. Trust me-no one wants
damaged issues of any kind.  If you wouldn't put them in your own collection
because of their condition, throw them away.

I hope these tips help you in successfully using a wonderful service from
Readmore/Blackwells.  Feel free to contact me direct if you have further
questions.

Sincerely,

Carol, the Journal Goddess (as I'm known on Backmed)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                                Wise People Still Seek Him
=======================================================
Carol S. Feustel                        phone: 513-558-0179
Serials Specialist                      fax:      513-558-1709
Medical Center Libraries                email:
<mailto:carol.feustel@ucmail.uc.edu> carol.feustel@uc.edu
PO Box 670574
231 Bethesda Ave.                       Opinions expressed are mine, not my
Cincinnati, OH  45267-0574                   employer's.
The -Original- Journal Goddess.  Accept no imitations.

(3)---------------------------
Date:         Thu, 28 Jan 1999 10:38:37 -0500
From:         Carol Feustel <FEUSTECS@UCMAIL.UC.EDU>
Subject:      Re: How long do you keep trying on BACKSERV?

Darn-I knew I'd forget something!

When replying to a posting on the list, reply DIRECTLY to the sender.  Do
NOT reply to the list itself or you risk encountering the irritation of
fellow listmembers.

Be prepared for humorous, even goofy, messages.  Many of us creative with
our messages, which is why I use Journal Goddess as my signature.
Don't be surprised to see issues offered for adoption, or requests for
issues that went AWOL.  The humor puts a smile on the reader's face and is
good for your health.

Th-th-that's it folks!

Carol, the Journal Goddess

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                                Wise People Still Seek Him
=======================================================
Carol S. Feustel                        phone: 513-558-0179
Serials Specialist                      fax:      513-558-1709
Medical Center Libraries                email:
<mailto:carol.feustel@ucmail.uc.edu> carol.feustel@uc.edu
PO Box 670574
231 Bethesda Ave.                       Opinions expressed are mine, not my
Cincinnati, OH  45267-0574                   employer's.
The -Original- Journal Goddess.  Accept no imitations.

(4)---------------------------
Date:         Thu, 28 Jan 1999 15:05:48 -0500
From:         "Geraldine H. Wescott" <wescott@LYCO.LYCOMING.EDU>
Subject:      Re: How long do you keep trying on BACKSERV?

Hi Sunee

Since I don't have a budget to buy missing issues from USBE, I keep trying
to find the missing issues on backserv or backmed forever!

While I'm waiting for the missing issues to show up, I 'home-bind' the
volume and mark it 'incomplete'.

I have a small 3x5 filing box divided alphabetically filled with the titles
and their issues I'm looking for. As I'm notified someone is sending me an
issue, I tick it.  When it *actually* comes in the mail, I cross it off.

works for me.

Gerre

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
*  Gerre Wescott-Periodicals Technician       <wescott@lycoming.edu>    *
~  Lycoming College                           voice - 570-321-4089      ~
*  Snowden Library                            fax   - 570-321-4090      *
~  700 College Place                          campus box #141           ~
*  Williamsport PA 17701-5192                 'Dux femina facti'        *
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

On Wed, 27 Jan 1999, Sunee Grima wrote:

> HI,
>
> If we use BACKSERV to locate the missing issues and not find what we want,
> how long do you keep trying before giving up and decide to buy them from
> USBE, or bind them as they are. Perhaps, those with more experience than I
> will share their expertise.
>
> Thank you  for your help.
>
> Sunee Grima
>
> Acquisitions/Serials Coordinator
> Weber State University
>
> sgrima@weber.edu