Hello,

I've summarized the responses I received from various libraries about
handling incomplete journals.  This is what I found:

    * Six libraries don't bind journals incomplete until the missing issue
is found
    * Some libraries shelve loose issues on the same shelf as the bound
journals
    * Six libraries bind journals incomplete only after they've tried
searching everywhere for the missing issue.
    * When a journal is bound incomplete, three libraries place a piece of
paper where the missing issue should be with a note indicating what issues
are missing.  Two libraries place a missing note on the spine.
    * One library binds journals incomplete without searching for missing
issues.
    * Several libraries use dealers (ex. USBE), BackServ, and EBSCO's MCB
to locate missing issues.
    * Two libraries don't look for missing issues if it's available on-line
(ex. JSTOR).

I hope this information helps.

Sincerley,

Barbara

Barbara A. Shipman
Acquisitions Department
Kresge Library
Oakland University
Rochester MI  48309
bmoore@oakland.edu
248-370-2482