We used to put certain high-use/high theft publications such as Rolling
Stone and Sports Illustrated behind the circulation desk on closed
reserve.  These were also tattle-stripped.  This closed reserve setup is
no longer feasible since our building was renovated.  However, we do not
bind these titles but archive them in microform, so if they are
vandalized, at least they will eventually be discarded.  Fortunately, I
have rarely seen hate graffiti on library materials here.  We are more
likely to see pictures or articles surreptiously removed, especially
from the New York Times.

I also check EBSCO's missing copy bank when the title in question is
available.   The one title we keep behind the reference desk is Consumer
Reports; left unattended, the current issues will walk away!

-Jennifer

Jennifer van Sickle
Serials Librarian/Sciences Coordinator
Trinity College Library
300 Summit St.
Hartford, CT USA 06106

phone: 860-297-2250
fax: 860-297-2251
jennifer.vansickle@trincoll.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Kunchog Dolma
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2004 12:59 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Policy on dealing with defaced serials at academic
libraries?

Dear serialists:
Here's a nice discussion topic for a Friday... I am wondering if any of
you have a policy on how to deal with patrons who deface or damage
serials, particularly those of a politically sensitive nature. It was just
brought to my attention that someone found a copy of the Advocate in our
library with the word 'nasty' scribbled on the cover. I have also
previously noticed copies of Ms., Rolling Stone, etc. with missing pages
or photos. It's obviously difficult to punish patrons who deface materials
unless you catch them in the act, so what are our options? Some
libraries(especially public) may put popular or readily-vandalized
magazines behind the desk, but this brings up censorship issues. Any
ideas?

Thanks in advance for your input,

Kunchog Dolma

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~

Kunchog J. Dolma, MA, MLISc
Serials/Reference Librarian
Thomas J. Shanahan Library
Marymount Manhattan College
221 E. 71st St.
New York, NY 10025
(212)774-4807