Many thanks to everyone who responded to my request for information on
having a purely reference periodicals collection
Results :-
* Most respondents had reference only collections and some were shocked
that we actually lend
* UGs appreciate the reference only collection
* Most respondents however didn't have large 19th/early 20th century
arts and humanities collections for journals, so weren't facing our
particular problem with academics and researchers
* Replies mentioned electronic access, having photocopiers and scanners
and colour printers in the Library, providing free photocopies of articles
for academics on request, electronic desktop provision, having exceptions
for disabled users
* Where there were exceptions loans were usually done on paper
* Criteria used for exceptions include; is it available electronically
outside the library, how current is the issue wanting to be borrowed, how
popular is the title, why can't the person use the journal in the library?"
* Publicity about the change to a reference collection concentrated on
the advantages for all users of having material permanently available
* Initial complaints soon dwindled
* Resist the argument that photocopying is cheaper/free in the
departments as a an argument for borrowing!
We are probably going to move to a half-way house - reference onlY for
everyone except academic staff; for borrowing a case must be made to the
Librarian by the academic staff member and a Departmental Loan will be
arranged, with at least 24 hours notice, Monday-Friday only, so that
material can be barcoded and issued through the system.
Given that our 1200 current issues are made up mostly of blocks of
19th/early 20th century arts and humanities journals, which have been out
for some time, we hope that the stock issued will stay fairly stable, but
the whole system will need to be monitored very carefully for a year to see
what tweaks we have to make.
Thanks again for the helpful responses.
Jennifer
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Jennifer Beavan
Reader Services Manager
Queen Mother Library, University of Aberdeen
Meston Walk AB24 3UE
tel. 01224 272553
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