Hello,
I usually wait for a few issues to pile up before downloading a record
for them. If they are a relevant title and seem to be coming regularly,
I think it's worth it. At least they're out on the current shelves for
browsing. If they stop coming and there is a very short run, or a lot
missing, etc. I usually discard them instead of closing the holdings and
keeping such a small run. You're right, in that it's a lot of extra
work.
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
*********************************************

>>> Hillk@ECC.EDU 2/9/2005 10:51:36 AM >>>
    I'm wondering how you handle periodicals that are available
through
a free subscription.  We are a community college library and have a
few
such titles that relate to our curriculum.  Our experience is that
they
arrive sporadically and we never know if we really have a subscription
or not.  Normally we won't subscribe to a title that is not indexed,
but
for some of our curricula, we like to have everything we can get.  But
if they aren't indexed and don't show up in databases, they won't be
used.  Trying to get the faculty to encourage their use is an uphill
battle.
    The latest example we've received is Hygienetown.  The cover says
"Welcome to the Premier Issue!"  It is apparently a spinoff from Perio
Reports, which we get through our vendor.  Another example is
Dimensions
of Dental Hygiene, free with web registration, but costing $40 from
our
vendor.
    So my question is, do you catalog these and/or make room for them
on
your shelves?    Or just pretend they don't exist and wash your hands
of
the whole thing?

Katherine H. Hill

Department Chair

Serials/Circulation Librarian

North Campus Library

Erie Community College

6205 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221

716-851-1278