Last week I posted a message regarding reimbursement for back issues of
periodicals exchanged between libraries.  I expressed the need for a
standard.  Someone requested that I summarize the feedback I received.
I will do this fairly briefly:

 I received ten messages.  Of these ten, I have divided them into the
following categories:

Pro standardization (6 votes = 60%) - these people generally agreed
with me that back issue exchange would be easier if there was an
agreed-upon standard for reimbursement.  Most suggested a standard in
the area of above $3.00 or $5.00.  That is, no-one would ask for
reimbursement if postage was less than $3.00 or $5.00.  One person
suggested that we do away with reimbursement altogether, and let
everything sort of "balance out."  Personally, I like that idea too.

Against standardization (2 votes = 20%) - these people basically felt
that each library has a right to charge or not charge for reimbursement,
no matter what the amount.  One said that receiving reimbursement in
stamps is useful for mailing correspondence.  They felt that if you
could afford to not charge others, that was your option, but if you
could not afford to reimburse others, then you should not request back
issues.

Neither for nor against standardization (2 votes = 20%) - these people
warned me that this was a controversial issue, but they had no comment
either for or against standardization.

People from both sides of the fence expressed doubt that the issue would
ever be resolved, essentially because of the many differences among our
institutions.  I hope that some day we can arrive at a standard, as has
been done in many other areas of library work.  I will continue to study
and think about this matter, and I encourage others of you to do the
same, and voice your thoughts and opinions.  Thanks for listening.

Ingrid G. Moss                          imoss@peace.edu
Serials Librarian
Peace College
Raleigh, North Carolina