-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Continuations project
Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 18:04:47 -0400
From: "Boyd, Kathryn E." <KBoyd@QUEENSLIBRARY.ORG>

We are a large, 63-branch public library system in New York City and we
are
in the process of "cleaning up" our Continuations subscriptions. Phase I
of
the project involves getting accurate information with which to work.
Our
clerk recently retired after 20 years working with Continuations and
with
her went a lot of the knowledge necessary to understand the monster that
is
Continuations.  We transferred what she had on index cards and kardex
into
an Access database. However, it's obvious that a lot of the data is
incorrect.  To that end, we sent each branch a list of what the database
says they get, and asked them to identify titles they are not getting.
Of
course, the very nature of Continuations titles makes this a difficult
task,
too, since titles are published irregularly and it is not always obvious
to
tell if you have current holdings. We also sent out letters to all our
Continuations vendors (more than 100!) requesting correct information as
to
current subscriptions, price, publishing schedules, etc.

Phase II involves establishing 3 levels (basic, research and advanced)
of
collecting for our branches, based on several criteria such as physical
size, circulation, population, geography, etc. We are also factoring in
what
is available via our databases, and, even if it is available
electronically,
does that necessarily mean we should cancel the print subscription.  In
the
end, we will be decreasing the subscriptions because our budget has
remained
the same over the years, while subscription prices have risen, and also
it
seems titles have been added indiscriminately over the years.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has experience with overhauling their
Continuations subscriptions. What database and or program do you use to
maintain your Continuations subscriptions? I would prefer to have one or
two
vendors for all our Continuations titles, instead of getting them from
so
many different sources. Can anyone recommend a vendor?

Thanks in advance for any advice, suggestions, expressions of
sympathy...

Kathryn Boyd
Collection Development Coordinator
Queens Borough Public Library
89-11 Merrick Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11432

tel 718.990.0721
fax 718.990.8566
kboyd@queenslibrary.org