As promised here is a summary of responses I received on my question to the
list on duplicate runs of paper and microform.  (Posted 4/2/97) I received
12 responses.  I will list the question I asked, and give a summary of the
responses.

1) Does your library maintain (and retain!) duplicate subscriptions?  If so
what is the rationale?

11 out of 12 responding libraries had some duplicate paper and microform
titles.  Most libraries discarded the paper after a certain time period and
retained the microforms.  The period retained differed from ten years of
paper (the most) to discard when the micro arrives.  (Other responses
included keeping paper for five years, three years and one year.)

One library sold their back issues, when withdrawn, to a back issues dealer.

2) If you have recently made a decision to cancel some titles did you cancel
the print or the microform?

Most libraries which responded to this question stated if they canceled one
format they canceled the other.  One library responded they "have opted to
cancel some paper subscriptions and kept the microfiche editions, rarely
finding that a problem."  They used some of the cost savings (from canceling
expensive paper titles) to order current issues they haven't received on
micro yet through Carl Uncover.  A few libraries have canceled paper
subscriptions because of electronic access.  Generally this was for non-core
and/or low-use titles.

3) Obviously with the time lag involved with the receipt of microform most
libraries would not be able to cancel the print subscription in favor of the
microform.  Was there some resistance in the library because in essence you
are purchasing a title only to discard shortly after?

No libraries indicated any resistance.

4) With the advent of full text electronic serials have some libraries
canceled their corresponding  print subscriptions deciding the students can
access the current title online until the microform arrives in the library?

There seems to be a great deal of interest in this but people (my library
included!) are hesitant to take the first step and cancel paper in favor of
electronic access.  (Electronic access includes electronic journals
available via the internet as well as full-text on CD-rom.)  While a few
libraries have canceled titles in paper because of the electronic
availability other libraries expressed concerns about the substitution of
full text databases for the paper.   Concerns include:  fear a publisher
might suddenly cease making a title available electronically; the
possibility of a sharp price increase  for electronic full text journals,
this which would effectively limit the library's access to the journals;
costs associated with printing articles from electronic journals; and the
financial viability of the electronic publishers.

The committee I am chairing is still meeting and working on a report, which
will be sent to the University Librarian and the Administrative Council in
May.  The comments I received through this posting were very helpful and
will be included in our final report.  My thanks to everyone who took the
time to write.

Molly Brennan
Acquisitions/Serials Librarian
McConnell Library
Radford University
brennan@runet.edu

(540) 831-5692