These services, also known as consolidation services, are offered by
several subscription agencies. For a fee they process each issue of a
serial and follow up claims: also, I think some will interface with the
serials checkin module of the library's database. As the University of
Canberra is reconsidering its serials procedures, I would like to hear
from anyone who is using/has decided against using/has stopped using
such services.  The pros seem to be that it frees up labour; the antis
suggest that the costs are about the same, you lose control of your
serials and that you are putting all your eggs in one basket.
What is the experience of academic libraries with these services?

Best wishes,
Andrew Clarke, The Library, University of Canberra
E-mail: ajc@libserver.canberra.edu.au
Voice: +61 6 201 2916
Fax:   +61 6 201 5068
The opinions expressed above are my own and are not necessarily those of
my employer