We would tend to put those kinds of titles on reserve. That protects the
current issue, but not the others. I don't consider it censorship. There
is a 2-hour check-out period for everyone. They are less likely to
deface when they have to turn it in in 2 hours. I have put 2 runs of
titles that tended to "walk" on permanent reserve and the current year
of others that are very popular. Think of it as preserving good access
for everyone.
Carol Morse

********************************************

Address:
Walla Walla College Library
Periodicals Dept.
104 S. College Ave.
College Place, WA  99324-1159

Carol Morse
Serials Librarian morsca@wwc.edu
509) 527-2684; fax 509) 527-2001
*********************************************

>>> cwilson@MMM.EDU 10/22/2004 9:59:23 AM >>>
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