We are an academic law library with two libraries on different campuses .

I and my counterpart at our other campus search our ILS at the end of
each month for "late" boxes in checkin records and queue claims to print.

I print the slips.  Slips for our other campus are sent to them to handle.

For my campus I pull out journal slips for the Journals Assistant to
handle.  Slips for other materials (pocket parts, advance sheets,
releases, annual vols., reports from agencies, etc. etc.) which comprise
the largest share of our claims are divided amongst various Serials and
Acquisitions staff including me.

Steps taken:

    * Check the ILS to see if material has been checked in since the
      slip was printed
    * Check the shelves to see if material missed being checked in.
    * Check to see if subscriptions are paid.
    * Check vendor/publisher websites to see if material we have is
      current.  CLJC is very handy for identifying the most recent issue
      published for law journals.  I often check these sites before
      queuing claims to print and update expected dates or add notes in
      our records at that time.
    * Journals (mainly Wm. S. Hein and EBSCO): indicate if a back issue
      is missing or the subscr. has lapsed and mail slips.
    * All other material types: email or phone customer service with
      detailed questions:  is issue x still current? has the frequency
      changed? is there an expected date for next update? has title
      ceased/ceased in print? is this now on the web? etc.
    * Enter notes in the checkin records for all claims sent; these are
      most handy when we search for "late" boxes at a later date.

Some common problems:

    * One subscr. for a title being extended for multiple years and
      another copy being cancelled (especially lounge copies of Time,
      Newsweek, etc.)
    * Returning duplicate materials and the standing order being cancelled.
    * Empty packages arriving in the mail or being returned to the
      publisher who then cancels the title.
    * Incorrect or incomplete ship to address.

As publisher websites improve over the years, we find we can answer a
lot of claim questions without contacting vendors/publishers directly
which has been a win/win situation.

Ann

Ann Kolodzey
Acquisitions/Serials Librarian
Widener University
School of Law Library
Box 7475
Wilmington, DE 19803-0475