I think a "professional" message is one which succinctly conveys a clear
message to its intended audience.  Sometimes library jargon sends the
clearest message to library staff, other times just plain English is
best.  Particularly in a case like this, with a small defined audience,
whatever is meaningful to you all in your particular library context is
the right - and professional - thing to say.

                                - Donna Packer
                                  Head of Access Services
                                  WWU Libraries
                                  d3737@HENSON.CC.WWU.EDU

On Wed, 6 Nov 1996 16:29:12 CST6CDT
Donna Sue Yanney <dyanney@COLEMAN.PVAM.EDU> wrote:

> My library receives a variety of gift materials--newsletters with
> membership and unsoliticited freebie magazines, etc., some of which
> we check in.  I have tried to create order records for the checked in titles.
> On these order records, accessible only to technical services staff, I have
> tried to differentiate the claimable (or claim worthy) from the not claimable.
> The note I use for the not claimable is "accept what comes" meaning we'll
> check in what they send us but if we cease
> to receive them, don't take any action.  I've recently been told that
> "accept what comes" is not a professional  message.  Do any of you use a
> similar, yet more respectable and comprehensible phrase,
> to identify this concept?  Any input will be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks much!
>
> Donna Sue Yanney
> Assistant Periodicals Librarian
> Prairie View A&M University
> donna-yanney@tamu.edu
> Phone: (409) 857-2756 FAX: (409) 857-2755