---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 13:25:27 -0400
From: Terence Rose <trose@GW.LIBOFMICH.LIB.MI.US>
Subject: Re: new serials librarian seeking advice regarding              microfilmcollection (Vani Murthy)

Hi Vani,

I would not try to discard the microfilm without a very very serious
review of my serials collection policy.  Even through many newspapers
are available on-line, the on-line versions in many of the electronic
databases lack photographs and graphics that your users may need.  I
would then survey the patrons who use the collection to see how and why
they use the microfilm.  If the microfilm collection is not being used,
you may need to due more marketing of the collection.
   If you have to discard the collection, I would post you holdings on
this Listserv and others, because libraries around the country are
looking at ways to obtain copies of these newspaper microfilms and many
libraries are willing to pay the postage to obtain these newspapers.

Terence Lionel Rose
Serials Librarian
Library of Michigan
717 W. Allegan St.
P.O. Box 30007
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-5818
trose@libofmich.lib.mi.us

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 11:48:15 -0400
From: Murthy - Vani <vmurthy@UMD5.UMD.EDU>
Subject: new serials librarian seeking advice regarding  microfilm
        collection

I am new to this profession, and I am now facing the dilemma of whether
I
should continue to maintain and expand the library's microfilm
collection
after recently acquiring electronic journals.  I am under pressure(from
my
colleagues) to cut down the microfilm collection, and to discard
several
titles such as New York Times, and The Washington Post due to lack of
space and money, and also because back-files are available online for
the
subscribed electronic journals and newspapers. I am wondering if this
is a
wise thing to do.  I would appreciate any advice regarding this
problem,
and I will gladly contact you if you want to share your experiences
with
me.  You can send your replies to me directly, and I will be happy to
forward those replies to anyone who is interested.  Thank you in
advance
for your advice.