Re: Duplicate exchanges and workflow Dena Luce 10 May 2000 20:47 UTC
Marcia, We used to participate in the ALCTS DEU program. However, this was cumbersome because we only have 2 people to handle our serials and it was a pain to put together a printed list and get it out to all of the members. Currently, we participate in the BACKSERV listserv both to offer and request materials. This has been much easier and many buyers monitor the listserv so they are reached at the same time. We generally offer our discards twice to make sure everyone has seen the list and then we recycle what we can or dump the rest. When possible, we'll donate some to missionaries or other organizations that we know of if the materials are appropriate. Over the past 6 years that I have been over serials, I've seen a tremendous decrease in the amount of material we've had to request. Part of that is due to an increasing budget and part because so many of our titles are now either on microfiche or electronic. If I'm unable to get missing issues from Ebsco's missing copy bank, then I request them on the listserv. We try to spend minimal time on DEU, mainly using it to complete bindery titles. I hope this helps! Dena L. Luce Extended Services Librarian Faulkner University Gus Nichols Library 5345 Atlanta Hwy. Montgomery, AL 36109-3398 (334) 386-7482 (ph.) (334) 286-7481 (fax) dluce@faulkner.edu -----Original Message----- From: Marcia Trauernicht [mailto:mstwml@RITVAX.ISC.RIT.EDU] Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 2:42 PM To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU Subject: Duplicate exchanges and workflow Duplicate exchange has come up for discussion recently at my library. Our current practice consists of gathering our unwanted issues after withdrawal, preparing a shipment (with shipment spreadsheet), and sending out the spreadsheet list to vendors for bids. Lately, we've found that the vendors aren't offering nearly as much money for these shipments as in the past. The concern centers upon the amount of staff time taken up by this process as compared to the amount of money received from vendors for each shipment--in other words, the question has been asked: "Is this still worth doing?" We currently do not supply any issues to cooperative exchanges. I've searched the SERIALST archives and found information about duplicate exchanges that focuses primarily on sources for cooperative exchanges and missing issue banks. I would like to know what practices are in effect at your libraries and how much staff time (regular staff and student staff) is devoted to this process. I am interested not only in workflow concerning interactions with vendors, but also in any cooperative exchange practices. Pros and cons of each are welcome. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Marcia S. Trauernicht Wallace Library Rochester Institute of Technology mstwml@rit.edu (716) 475-7292