Laura,

We use the direct subscription method to track our almost 290
subscriptions.  My boss keeps track of each subscription on a
spreadsheet, but there is no alerting mechanism for lapsed subscriptions
aside from (a) renewal notice -- sometimes lost, (b) looking at mailing
label to spot expiration date (usually tossed with plastic shipping
bag), or (c) seeing that we missed an issue.  I set up a card file to
keep track of the magazines when they come in, and for claiming purposes
when we miss an issue.  I only have time to go through the cards about
once a quarter and our students (who actually check the mags in when
they arrive) are not always careful to tell me about missing issues.
Claiming sometimes gets interesting.

I would love to have an automated serials tracking system, so I'd
suggest lobbying hard for one.  Better living through software.  Your
life will be much simpler.

Mary Edwards
Librarian
Art Institute of California - Los Angeles
2900 31st Street
Santa Monica, CA  90405
310-314-6154
meedwards@edmc.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Laura Milliman
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 11:41 AM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Direct subscriptions

Hello,
I am new to this list. Would like to know about feasibility of direct
subscriptions. I have searched the archives, but without standard
subject
headings it is difficult to gather all the information in one place. Are
there any published articles or chapters that deal with this issue?
I understand that direct subscriptions would not be practical for larger
libraries. However, we only have 165 current subscriptions. Would
dealing
with this small amount of titles make a difference?  Are there types of
titles, such as monographs or newspapers for which ordering direct might
make a difference?
Thank you.

Laura Milliman
Brown Library
Virginia Western Community College
PO Box 40012
Roanoke, VA 24022-0012