As we acquire more online titles with secure backfiles, we anticipate
that in time most of our print titles will be discarded, so we didn't
see the point in binding them any longer.  We stopped binding in 2008
and put everything in cardboard files.  We simply collapse the titles in
our acquisitions module and treat them as though they were bound,
shelving them with the bound volumes.  We have had no problems with this
and the time saved in the binding process exceeds the labor involved in
handling the loose issues.

Judith A. Koveleskie, MLIS, MA
Periodicals Librarian
Seton Hill University
Reeves Memorial Library
1 Seton Hill Drive
Greensburg, PA 15601-1548
kovelesk@setonhill.edu
724-838-7828
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-----Original Message-----
From: SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum
[mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Scott Carlisle
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 11:43 AM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] alternatives to binding

At Boston College Libraries we are reassessing our practices for binding

periodicals. Like many libraries we are working toward migrating our
journal collections to electronic format, and we are spending more on
electronic preservation. In a recent project we experimented with
shelving certain titles without binding, and found that while cost
savings resulted, there was no labor saved due to the work required in
our ILS for location changes.

We'd love to hear what other institutions are doing:

1) Have your binding practices been affected by these issues or others,
and if so, what changes have you made?

2) Have you tried any alternatives to binding, such as boxes, and has
that been satisfactory?

Thanks,
Scott

--
Scott Carlisle
E-Resources & Technical Services Librarian
O'Neill Library
Boston College
scott.carlisle@bc.edu