Mitch:

When I arrived at my present institution, the library had recently completed
a determination of the value of the collection.  The library had developed a
chart of "serials average price per title by general subject"  As a medical
library, most of our broad subjects are medical but we also subjects of a
general nature, (ie) chemistry, biochemistry, etc.  The subject was broken
down in groups from 1900-1930, 1931-1945, then in 5 year groups going up to
1993.  This chart was used to give us our initial evaluation.  The earlier,
the year, the smaller the dollar amount.

Also, I have copies of the "Faxon price guide" almost complete from 1974-to
date which we keep. When I get "new" volumes as gifts, or through duplicate
lists, I add the value as the "original price" of the publication when it
was issued.  If that is not available, I try the Faxon guides if applicable,
then our chart of average prices.

Each year, administration adds the journal subscription invoices, any
backfile dealer invoices, the "gift volumes" and then deletes volumes of any
titles that we keep for a finite number of years.  The value of those titles
is taken from the information in the issue as to the cost for that year.

*************************************************************************
John Lucas
Serials Librarian
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Rowland Medical Library
Jackson, MS 39216-4505

FAX.               (601) 984 - 1262
TEL.               (601) 984 - 1277
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________________________________
Mitch Turitz wrote:

>I was recently asked to post the following question:
>
>In light of the recent request from the CSU (California State
>Universities) to evaluate our collections, how are libraries proceeding to
>do this?
>
>Anyone who is not a member of the CSU, I would like to hear from
>you as well.
>
>Please respond either to me or the list.
>
>We are looking for some way better than taking an item count from our
>integrated library system and multiplying it by the average replacement
>cost of a book.  What are the rest of you doing?
>
>  _^_                                                 _^_
>( ___ )-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-( ___ )
> |   |                                               |   |
> |   |     Mitch Turitz, Serials Librarian           |   |
> |   |     San Francisco State University Library    |   |
> |   |     Internet: turitz@sfsu.edu                 |   |
> |   |                                               |   |
>( ___ )-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-==-( ___ )
>   V                                                   V
>       Rule #1: Don't sweat the small stuff.
>       Rule #2: It's ALL small stuff.
>
>