We are fortunate to have an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) so we simply barcode the items and put them into the ASRS. We will occasionally build an archival box if the issue itself isn’t one that works that well for storing. For those with multiple pieces, we simply barcode the container. We don’t worry about the smaller pieces that might comprise the issue. I don’t think it’s worth the extra barcodes and effort.

Buddy Pennington

Electronic Resources and Serials Librarian

University of Missouri - Kansas City

800 East 51st Street

Kansas City, MO  64110

816-235-1548

816-333-5584 (fax)

UMKC Libraries: Discovery. Knowledge. Empowerment.

From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Bobby Reeves
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2011 11:44 AM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] What to do with old "issues" of McSweeney's Quarterly Concern?

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone out there would mind sharing what you do with older issues of McSweeney's.  We've been subscribing for a couple of years and have, up to this point, put off making a decision on what to do with it long-term.  The most recently received issue is a flip-top box with multiple smaller pieces inside, some book-like, others not; and inventory control for each piece is kind daunting.  An earlier issue was formatted as a large newspaper.  (Those unfamiliar with the title can see all the creative manifestations here, assuming the link is semi-persistent: http://store.mcsweeneys.net/index.cfm/fuseaction/catalog.list/object_id/9772B00C-B37F-4915-88F8-8ED96E79EBF1/Journals.cfm).

Do libraries generally class these and put them in their general stacks?  Do they go to special collections for want of a way to secure them otherwise?  We've just been shelving them in our alphabetical current periodicals stacks until we decided whether or not we wanted to retain them for more than a few years, and, now it seems how we could store them might impact the retention decision.

Best,
Bobby


Robert K. Reeves
E-Resources Applications Administrator
American University Library
Washington, DC  20016
phone: 202.885.3167
email: reeves@american.edu