As a public library, we greatly appreciate the gift titles that we have
seen so far (we have received ESPN, have added it to our catalog, but have
not seen any duplicates yet). Most likely the frustration that most
librarians on this listserv have expressed is because they are speaking as
Academic or larger libraries that support major research. Our periodicals
are read and re-read again by a public who enjoys general interest and
sports-oriented magazines- and we as a library struggle with the budget to
meet our public's needs. I might not read the magazines we get (I haven't
read YM since I was 12) but our patrons definately benefit from the free
subscriptions (even if it is an advertising ploy).

IMHO,

Beth

Elizabeth Horn
Reference and Serials Librarian
Roanoke City Public Library
Roanoke, VA
<horn_elizabeth@HOTMAIL.COM>