Isabel--

     Our institution currently receives 2800 journal subscriptions which
     are checked in and claimed by one staff member on an automated system
     [NOTIS opr's]. As issues are checked in, gaps where the previous issue
     was not received are noted and sent to our subscription vendor [Ebsco]
     immediately [via email or web].

     We have a report run once a week listing titles that have not arrived
     on time and titles which need to be reclaimed.  These are verified and
     claimed in one afternoon, approximately 2-3 hours.  If time is ever a
     constraint, we give priority to those titles where the publisher has
     stated that they have a time limit for accepting claims or where the
     subscription is very expensive.  Our policy is to recheck claims not
     received roughly 2-3 months following the first claim [to allow for
     processing and mail shipment], a phone call to the publisher can
     sometimes be effective at this point.

     When we were still checking items in on our manual Kardex file, we
     divided the drawers amongst the 3 staff workers and had each person
     check their section of files every 2-4 wks for claiming and
     reclaiming.

     Hope this helps!

     Allen Williams
     Periodicals Specialist
     Grand Valley State University
     Allendale, MI  49401
     williama@gvsu.edu