Greetings All,

Marcia Tuttle's announcement about the Newsletter on Serials Pricing
ceasing publication sent me down Memory Lane.  Here's some excerpts from a
letter that I had sent to Marcia, following her announcement to the
Newsletter's Editorial Board.  This also includes some reminiscing
about the special relationship of SERIALST to the Newsletter on Serials
Pricing.  Please excuse the length ...

Dear Marcia,

When I read your announcement informing us that the Newsletter was going
to officially cease publication, I have to admit that my first reaction
was emotional. I shed a couple of tears.  I was saddened.  I remember the
first time a colleague told me about the Newsletter and I signed on and
was awed by the power of the technology, as much as I admired the spirit
of invention behind the Editor/Publisher who made it work.  And then when
I contacted you to ask what you thought about the idea of a serials
discussion list (that later became SERIALST), you encouraged and counseled
me to see its development through ... and we worked together to develop
complementary resources.  When I look back, I can see it all almost as
clearly as if it was just yesterday.  But it was 12 years ago!  Where does
the time go?

Your announcement marks the end of an era.  But I think we all understand.
No one can make the Newsletter work like you did.  Besides, your efforts
are going into other things -- like enjoying your retirement!  Good for
you !

Other things considered ... I am really glad you didn't think *too*
seriously about selling the Newsletter to a commercial publisher.  It just
would not have been the same.  I'm also glad you never changed its title
or launched a series of supplements, each with its own complex array of
alternate numbering schemes ;-) (ok, I borrowed that from SERIALST
co-moderator Stephen Clark! - thanks, Stephen!)  You always knew better
than to strive for the Snake in the Grass Award !

Like Cecelia Leathem, I'd like to say "Thank you, Marcia!"  for
all you do ... and for all the years of professional collaboration
and friendship.  I've always appreciated (and continue to appreciate) your
wisdom and guidance in matters concerning pricing issues, acquisitions and
serials.  You never steered away from a good controversy -- in fact,
sometimes I think you knew intuitively how to invite controversy -- just
to keep things interesting!  I know you always worked hard to give your
readers a fair, balanced representation of the issues -- often going out
of your way to contact individuals and groups to get the "scoop".  You did
that for the Newsletter, and you did it for SERIALST on more than one
occasion.

I'm going miss working with you on the Newsletter.  But I take comfort in
noticing you haven't tendered a resignation from your role as a SERIALST
co-moderator.  I am glad that you have agreed to continue working with us
 -- we hope for a good long while -- so we'll still solicit your advice
and know that you are present on the e-waves.

What more to say?  We've just updated the SERIALST Scope &
Purpose Statement, section 1.2, which talks about the relationship between
SERIALST and the Newsletter on Serials Pricing Issues
(cf.  http://www.uvm.edu/~bmaclenn/serialst.html#nspi )
Here's what it says:

1.2. RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEWSLETTER ON SERIALS PRICING ISSUES

For a ten year period, from 1991 to 2001, SERIALST benefited from a
collaborative and complementary relationship with the electronic
publication, Newsletter on Serials Pricing Issues. During that time,
selected postings from SERIALST, related to serials pricing, also appeared
in the Newsletter. The Newsletter ceased publication with issue no. 257
(Aug. 12, 2001). Those interested in an in-depth look at serials pricing
issues will continue to have access to its archives. A searchable web site
for the Newsletter archive remains available, courtesy of French scholars,
Laurent Guillope at Nantes and Monique Marchand at Grenoble, via the
mathdoc server in Grenoble
(http://www-mathdoc.ujf-grenoble.fr/NSPI/NSPI.html). The library server at
the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
(http://www.lib.unc.edu/prices/) will also continue to provide an archive
of the Newsletter. For additional information, contact Marcia Tuttle:
Tuttle@email.unc.edu, editor and publisher of the Newsletter during its
entire run from February 27, 1989 to August 12, 2001.

THANKS again, Marcia, for all you've done with the Newsletter for these
many years.

Best wishes and kindest regards,        - Birdie

        Birdie MacLennan
        SERIALST Listowner/Moderator
        Coordinator, Serials & Cataloging
        University of Vermont
        bmaclenn@zoo.uvm.edu