We have just recently obtained electronic access to Ulrichs, though we
have opted for the less expensive option that allows access to Ulrichs
via the web but does not allow us to input our periodical records into
their system.

I have only had a little time to explore the product but from what I see
it looks like it will be very useful.  First, searching for particular
journals is so much easier than using the cumbersome system that
Ulrich's print version provides.  Secondly, it provides access to "Katz
Magazines for libraries" as well as Ulrichs, so you can access any
reviews available through Katz (and also reviews published in Library
journal) that are available.

Finally, the database allows you to filter searches for journals so that
you retrieve only peer reviewed titles, or titles reviewed in Katz etc.
which really provides useful functionality unavailable in the print
version.  I have only just begun to explore the electronic version of
Ulrichs but from what I have seen so far it greatly exceeds the print
versions of Magazines for Libraries and Ulrichs for not a whole lot more
money after you cancel the subscriptions to the two printed products (
if you choose to do so).

We are a small library and the cost is determined by FTE and how many
simultaneous users you want to allow.  We were able to get the product
for unlimited use for a price that we were able to afford.  Leasing
access to the Ulrichs version that allows you to download periodicals
records from your collection was much more expensive and beyond our
budget and, I think, beyond what we needed.  The basic version however,
I think will be a great tool for evaluating titles and generating lists
of journals for future consideration.

>>From the limited experience I have had with this product, I would
recommend it to libraries looking to develop their periodicals
collection.

Mark

Mark Ferguson
Periodicals Librarian, Mahoney Library
College of Saint Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ 07960

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of SERIALST Moderator
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 5:33 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Ulrich's Serials Analysis product (fwd)

Ed. note (on behalf of others who are interested in this top):
Responses to SERIALST (as well as to Scott Stangroom) are welcome.  -bml

----- Forwarded message -----
Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 17:02:43 -0400
From: Scott Stangroom <stangroom@library.umass.edu>
Subject: Ulrich's Serials Analysis product

UMass Amherst is considering Ulrich's Serials Analysis product. Has anyone
on the list had experience with it, and if so would you be willing to
share your thoughts/impressions?  You may respond to me off list. Thanks.

______________________

Scott Stangroom
Head of Acquisitions
W.E.B. Du Bois Library
University of Massachusetts
154 Hicks Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9275
stangroom@library.umass.edu
voice: 413.545.6724
fax: 413.545.6494