-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Periodical retention
Date: Fri, 8 Jun 2001 16:08:04 -0500
From: Martha Coleman <mcoleman@westark.edu>

I have looked through the serialst archives and cannot find a post
where I know this was discussed.  I am looking for general statements
for our periodicals collection development policy of why we might
retain Time Magazine or other general titles from 1925 forward.  Our
library is fairly new and most of our subscriptions begin mid-70's.  We
have few runs of periodicals that would give students a feel for what
life was like before they were born.  In our electronic environment, it
sometimes seems that if something didn't happen within the last 10
years and isn't in electronic full text then it didn't happen or it
couldn't be important enough to care about.  I want students to be able
to pull random volumes from the shelves, browse, and visually get a
feel for life in the 30's.  For example, there is much to be learned
from looking at advertisements or reading articles written with the
passion of the present.

I don't have a problem justifying the retention of titles  that support
a specific program or leisure-reading titles or most "core" titles but
I'm having trouble articulating the need for historical coverage.
Could someone give me a few well-turned phrases?  Thank you for your
help.
Martha Coleman
Westark College
Fort Smith, AR