Did the publisher indicate why it was making this restriction? The
craziest thing is that patrons may show up at the library wanting to
read this magazine and because they don't want to buy or cannot afford
to buy it, they won't be able to read it. This reminds me that there is
an architecture journal where the publisher does something similar with
one of its regular issues by only sending it to professional architects.
Maybe the publishers are making assumptions that only certain people
would want to read such material. Whereas a university may not have
professional architects, for example, it may have architecture students
who need to read the professional literature. I think it was a couple of
years ago that something crazy happened with Sports Illustrated because
the publisher did not send the swimsuit issue to libraries. The story I
heard was that the publisher didn't think it was appropriate to send it
to libraries.

This is just completely crazy. You would think that in this economy,
publishers would be glad that somebody wants to buy their publications.
Journal and magazine titles seem to be frequently folding or going to
online format only a lot lately, so getting any kind of subscription
business would seem worth it. Publishers should wise up to the fact that
peoples' need or want to read journals or magazines is not so black and
white.

Sincerely,

Barbara M. Pope, MALS
Periodicals/Reference Librarian
Axe Library
Pittsburg State University
Pittsburg KS 66762
620-235-4884
bpope@pittstate.edu

BLACK, STEVE wrote:
>
> In the course of selecting periodicals to review for /Library Journal/
> (see e.g.
> http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6709259.html?industryid=47384),
> I’ve run across an unusual case of controlled circulation. I don’t
> know what to make of it, so I’m interested in what you folks think.
>
> Disney recently launched a new magazine that’s a benefit of membership
> in the Disney 23 club. It’s a large format, lushly produced magazine
> that many public library patrons would enjoy reading. I’ve seen the
> magazine in my local Barnes & Noble, so it’s available on newsstands,
> too. But Disney’s terms of use state subscriptions to /Disney
> Twenty-three/ are for “individuals only (no corporations or other
> entities, associations or groups).” I e-mailed customer service and
> received confirmation that this includes libraries.
>
> What do you make of this? Is it outrageous? Irksome? No big deal?
>
> Steve Black
>
> Reference, Serials, and Instruction Librarian
>
> Neil Hellman Library
>
> The College of Saint Rose
>
> 392 Western Ave.
>
> Albany, NY 12203
>
> (518) 458-5494
>
> blacks@strose.edu
>