2 messages, 107 lines:

(1)---------------------------
Date:         Thu, 11 May 2000 15:09:55 -0400
From:         Marcia Trauernicht <mstwml@RITVAX.ISC.RIT.EDU>
Organization: RIT
Subject:      Re: Duplicate exchanges and workflow

Dena,

This is very helpful--time is one of our big issues here. thanks again!
Marcia

Dena Luce wrote:
>
> Well, when we were doing the paper lists a few years ago, the technician did
> the bulk of the work composing the list, copying it, etc.  Myself and some
> workstudy students would then assist her with preparing them for bulkmail.
> We sent out one list a year and probably invested about 10 hours on that
> project.
>
> Now that we only participate on the listserv, we send out regular small
> lists or individual items probably weekly or maybe monthly.  It's so
> convenient with email since we're using the computers daily.  We might only
> commit 4 hours a month skimming the offerings posted and maybe 1 hour if we
> actually have materials to box and ship.  It's far less time consuming and
> our student workers do so much of the pulling issues and boxing for us.
>
> Let me know if this doesn't answer your question.
>
> Dena Lahue Luce                 Ph.: (334) 386-7482
> Extended Services Librarian     Fax: (334) 386-7481
> Faulkner University                           Email: dluce@faulkner.edu
> Gus Nichols Library
> 5345 Atlanta Hwy.
> Montgomery, AL 36109-3398

(2)----------------------------
Date:         Thu, 11 May 2000 15:15:22 -0400
From:         Marcia Trauernicht <mstwml@RITVAX.ISC.RIT.EDU>
Organization: RIT
Subject:      Re: Duplicate exchanges and workflow

Judy,
thanks for the information--I appreciate your insights! One concern that I
share with you is the "common good" factor: it's wonderful to get free or
cheap issue replacements from others, but should'n we contribute too by
sharing ours? thanks again! Marcia

"Judith L. Fallon" wrote:
>
> In my library, I am in charge of binding periodicals. I also keep all of
> the duplicates on shelves near my desk. I try to keep an updated list of
> all that I have available, but find that it is not as up to date as I
> would like. I tend to think of the duplicates as not that important to
> keep up with. I do read the listserv each day to see what is offered and
> what we need. I offer duplicates to the list a couple of times a month. It
> really depends on my other work and how pressing that is. Another problem
> that is unique to me, I hope, is that the person who had my job before was
> not well liked. I guess she had problems managing her time and I have been
> told that "she did the duplicates and not much else." It sometimes causes
> problems for me having to deal with this leftover anger. Sometimes when I
> prepare a package for mailing, I am told that postage costs have gone up
> since I started being involved in the Duplicate list.  I know that is all
> because of the negative feelings towards my predecessor. The fact that
> maybe I am completing a volume for someone else, actually helping another
> library, is not considered.
>    All in all I would say that I spend a minimum of 1 hour each day on the
> duplicates. Sorry for rambling.  Judy Fallon, WPI <jf@WPI.EDU>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Marcia Trauernicht [mailto:mstwml@RITVAX.ISC.RIT.EDU]
> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 3:42 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