Hello All:

I guess I will throw in my $ .02 in.  The opinion below is JUST MINE
AND NOT THAT OF ANY OTHER PERSON, OR THE POLICY OF THE INSTITUION AT
WHICH I WORK.

We use a number of different subscription Agencies and they all have
some kind of claim response, whether individually indicating delay in
publication or as with Ebsco, a monthly list of "Delivery Problems"

For us, I first check to see if we have received the issue, and
sometimes, we have received the issue listed as well as a later 1 or (2)
issues. (Their information is wrong)  I am sure most of us have Internet
Browser bookmarks to most of the major publishers we are interested
going directly to their list of journal titles, and I use this ALOT to
verify non-production of issues.

It is a quick matter to recognize the publisher in most cases and to
click their site and look for their "latest issue published" "table of
contents" or other designation they use to find out what is out.

For me, I can recognize some of those titles that are "really" delayed
and the publishers involved.  I will not mention specific titles or
publishers, but there are a few titles WITH MOST PUBLISHERS, and a
couple publishers WHERE IT IS MORE THAN JUST A FEW TITLES.

We have had to cut titles for 2004 and very possibly for 2005.  As the
claims and claim responses come across my desk, and I review them, I
create a list of potential candidates which include many of these
"delayed" titles.

My reasoning is that if it takes them that long to publish an issue:
  1.  Possibly the review /production process has held things up and
the journal is not managed as well as it could be. (what else may not be
managed well (ie) use 2004 funds to pay for 2003 or 2002 issue
production costs)
  2. There is not enough quality submissions to the journal for issues
(Are there other 'better?' titles covering this subject?
  3. The overall publisher is not monitoring the journal (editor of the
journal) and is not caring enough to help correct the problem.
  4.  Other unknown factors.

Again, just my reasoning.

John Lucas

Serials Librarian
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 North State St
Jackson, MS 39216-4505

(PH) (601) 984-1277
(FAX)  ( 601) 984-1262
JLUCAS@ROWLAND.UMSMED.EDU