When we renovated and expanded the library in 2003, we included a
current periodicals reading room that already existed, but it was
enlarged and outfitted with new shelves, furniture, etc.  Since then,
our print subscriptions have decreased, so we plan to consolidate the
remaining titles and create more study space.

Our newspapers have also been cut, so we recently consolidated them onto
one side of a designated shelf, rather than both sides.  The newly freed
up shelving was reused for atlases that we had to move for an expanded
24 hour study area.  The one newspaper that consistently is read and
used in print is the New York Times.

Hope this helps!

-Jennifer

Jennifer van Sickle
Serials Librarian & Sciences Coordinator
Trinity College Library
300 Summit St.
Hartford, CT USA 06106

jennifer.vansickle@trincoll.edu

phone: 860-297-2250
fax: 860-297-2251

-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Mildred Merz
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 5:27 PM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Serials Reading Rooms

Our library is relinquishing our large "current journals" reading room
for a
much smaller area.  Our "current journals" room now contains all of the
recent issues of newspapers and journals/magazines that we subscribe to
in
print.  That number, of course, is ever shrinking.

In anticipating our smaller space, we have started re-thinking what the
purpose of the "current journals" area should be in the future.  We are
thinking that instead of just being what we get in print that it should
be a
more carefully chosen group of journals/newspapers.  Perhaps the titles
in
"current journals" should be the core or essential titles, AND/OR
perhaps
they should be the more popular/readable titles that students and
faculty
would enjoy having in print.  We have noticed at least two libraries
that
have created what they call "virtual reading rooms."   Perhaps the
physical
area could be the popular/fun to read titles plus the very important
interdisciplinary titles (like Nature and Science).  The "virtual
reading
room" could be the core/essential titles.

Has any other library dealt with this issue?  What should be in a
journals
reading room?  Millie Merz

--
Mildred H. Merz
Associate Professor
Kresge Library
Oakland University
Rochester, MI 48309-4484
Phone: 248-370-2457; Fax: 248-370-2474
E-mail: merz@oakland.edu