Monica Berger wrote:
> Adding free periodicals to your collection can create a collections
> development nightmare down the line [...] don't integrate them into
> your collection.

This is probably fine advice for a general academic library.  I'd just
like to remind Serialists that not everyone works in general academic
libraries.  As an archive, we put considerable effort into collecting
obscure free publications -- including serials -- since most of this
material isn't being collected elsewhere.  And in my experience, Susan
Wishnetsky's comment rings true -- some of these publications are easier
to claim than our paid subscriptions; it's often easier to get in touch
with someone who's willing and able to help, and they tend to be nicer to
deal with.

Trina

Trina Pundurs
Water Resources Center Archives, Univ. of California
tpundurs@library.berkeley.edu
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/WRCA/