3 messages:

1)______

Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 14:56:24 -0600
From: Vicki Combs <vcombs@KCKPL.LIB.KS.US>
Subject: Re: Routing issues (Mary Iber)

We are a public library.

We switched from paper routing slips that were time consuming to
maintain to treating "professional reading" magazines like any other
circulating magazine on Inlex (DRA/Inlex, our automated system).

I barcode the magazine, add it to Inlex, and then send an email message
to all staff to let them know it is available.

They can then put a hold on it and when it is available they will be
notified to pick it up. Each person has a limited number of days in
which to pick up the magazine from the circulation desk and then they
are allowed to keep it a limited number of days. I think it is 3 days in
which to pick it up and 5 days they can keep it.

When someone else needs to see a specific issue right away, the checkout
record can be checked to see who has the magazine.

We are still doing paper routes for selection journals since most of
these go to specific people for specific areas of ordering.

This has worked really well so far And has saved me a lot of time since
I don't have to maintain route files on everything. It has the added
advantage of keeping stats to see how much a title gets used. At least
checked out and hopefully read.

Vicki

===================================================================
VICKI COMBS                    : KANSAS CITY KANSAS PUBLIC LIBRARY
PERIODICALS ASSOCIATE          : 625 Minnesota Ave
                               : Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 279-2204          : Phone (913) 551-3280
E-Mail: vcombs@kckpl.lib.ks.us : Fax: (913) 551-3221
-------------------------------------------------------------------

                    Opinions expressed are mine.

===================================================================

2)_____

Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 16:25:24 -0500
From: Bernadette Jones <bjones@SMCVT.EDU>
Subject: Re: Routing issues (Mary Iber)

We route mostly library-related titles.  Rather than route the whole issue,
which may not find its way back for 6 months, we photocopy the table of
contents and route that.  This way, the issues sit on the display shelves
for both staff and patrons to use.
__________________

Bernadette Jones
Periodicals Department
Saint Michael's College
Library & Information Services
Winooski Park
Colchester, VT  05439

e-mail: bjones@smcvt.edu
Phone: 802-654-2404

3)_____

Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 16:32:00 -0500
From: Julie Preisser <jpreisse@SINCLAIR.EDU>
Subject: Re: Routing issues (3 messages)

I have successfully resisted routing slips for years exactly because of
the black hole problem.  My solution is to have Professional Reading boxes
in a general staff area.  All library literature goes there.  I clean out
the boxes about every two months - always leaving the latest things.  If a
patron wants an issue - there is at least some chance that I will be able
to find it for them.  I have been forced to provide a list of the titles
received each week to all the professionals - it is put in their boxes on
Friday afternoon - this concession was made after another bruising battle!
Anyway I think this system works well.

Julie Preisser
Periodicals Librarian
Sinclair Community College
444 West Third Street
Dayton, OH 45402-1421
Email: jpreisse@sinclair.edu
Phone: 937-512-3006
Fax: 937-512-4564