Hi Nancy,
You do mean the bound periodicals, right? And not the current, unbound issues?
At one of my previous libraries (a largish, state-supported comprehensive university), we did have bound periodicals interfiled in with the main collection, and we believed that they saw more use that way. But I don’t have any hard statistics, only anecdotal evidence. Plus, that was a looong time ago (late 80s into early 90s). I don’t know that they still do it that way.
At my last library (a small, private, liberal arts college; 2008-2010), the bound periodicals were separated, but we actually allowed them to circulate (though for much less time than books). And we believed that helped increase usage, too.
Hope you get plenty of responses!
Katy G.
Katy Ginanni, Collection Development Librarian
Hunter Library
Western Carolina University
176 Central Drive
Cullowhee, NC 28723
ksginanni@email.wcu.edu
828-227-3729 office
828-227-7380 fax
`Commit random acts of greeness everyday.
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Nancy Bennett
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 4:10 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Periodicals inter-filed with Main Collection
Hello all.
I am still fairly new to Serials (6 months) and my director has come up with an idea of inter-filing the print periodicals with our main collection. They would still be non-circulating, but he feels that inter-filing them will increase usage because they will be more browseable.
What are the philosophical thoughts on having this set-up? Pros and Cons? Has anyone made this change and what did you learn? Did it increase usage of the periodicals? What would you have done differently? What timeline did you have? (He wants this done this summer, which seems unrealistic at best).
Any insights would be greatly appreciated. You can contact me off-list if you wish and I can compile a summary for the list.
Thanks so much!
Nancy
Nancy A. Bennett
Electronic Resources & Systems Librarian
Carroll University Library
100 N. East Ave.
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-650-4886