Date: Wed, 11 Oct 1995 16:43:06 -0600 (CST)
From: Robert Cleary <clearyr@SMTPGATE.SSB.UMKC.EDU>
Subject: Single source serials bid - summary

Thanks to all who replied to my inquiry of September 18th. That
original inquiry appears below, followed by a summary of replies:

Can anyone in a research library tell me if you are considering
placing all of your serial orders with a single vendor on a bid
basis ?

I have searched the SERIALST archives for this topic and found no
discussion.

Please reply to me directly; I will summarize for the list.

Summary :

- Many respondents from academic libraries described how a
single-source was not appropriate for their libraries.

- Smaller, specialized libraries who bid their serials with one
vendor have gained benefits from this practice. One of these
libraries reported that they frequently have to change vendors,
which causes problems with lost issues and duplicate
subscriptions.

- None of the state institutions that responded are currently
required to bid their serials with one vendor.

- One library mentioned that their lists were divided into
periodical and non-periodical titles, which could then be placed
with different vendors after bidding.

- One large, multi-campus institution chose to place all of their
serials with one vendor on a competitive bid basis.  Since not
every vendor can handle exactly the same title list, there were
a few gaps in the change-over. Apart from that, the vendor-aided
change-over was very successful.

Robert Cleary
University of Missouri-Kansas City
clearyr@smtpgate.umkc.edu