Using one subscription agency for as many of your journal subscriptions
makes sense.  The two types of serials that I would definitely recommend
purchasing direct are monographic serials, especially if the number of
volumes vary from year to year (eg. Advances in Cancer Research), and
products such as proceedings on CD-ROMs.  Two years in a row I've had
the wrong proceedings year sent for one particular title.

Because of delayed payment from our agency to the subscription agency to
the publisher, I have also had the problem of the first quarter
installment of a CD-ROM product such as Chem-Bank or Materials Safety
Data Sheets not being received before I receive the second quarter
installment. It would be better to order these direct.

barb

*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,
 Barbara Dietsch, Serials Coordinator
 EPA Library - UNC Contract Staff
 109 Alexander Drive (C267-01)
 Research Triangle Park, NC  27711
 919.541.0726
 dietsch.barbara@epa.gov
*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,,.-*"*-.,