We have experience of the consolidation service here, too. A bundle of journals arrives at the postroom of the hospital with a copy for the library on top and a note for the postroom staff to distribute the journals. As they’re not allowed to open any post which is not meant for them, they ring us to come and sign for the bundle. We used to think it was an urgent parcel of goodies for us, so we would go downstairs and sign, carry the bundle up to the library – only to find that most of the journals were for individuals working on the site. In the outtray they go, and eventually downstairs again.

It’s possible, at least in theory, that some bundles have had an individual’s journal on top and therefore the whole jolly lot has gone to them, and never returned to the postroom to be distributed to the rightful owners. I rang the courier service, and they promised to address the bundle to the postroom so they would open it, but it just didn’t work – they were too cautious, and still refused to open the bundle. But now that we’ve learnt to identify the type of parcel, we sign them out and open them in front of the postroom staff so that they can distribute them.

So, at least the journals reach the hospital, but there is no knowing whether some of them have not reached the library because of the method of distribution which doesn’t suit the working practices of the Trust. And what a waste of library staff time, having to go down to pick up somebody else’s post and then carry it downstairs again at the end of the day.

Outi

Outi Pickering

Assistant Librarian

Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Staff Library, Warneford Hospital

Headington

Oxford

OX3 7JX

Tel. 01865 738738

Email [log in to unmask]

www.obmh.nhs.uk

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From: UK medical/ health care library community / information workers [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Woodley Zena (RQ8) Mid Essex Hospital
Sent: 15 December 2010 14:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Journals: expensive AND absent!

Ouch! I did touch a nerve, didn't I!

Two people kindly pointed out to me that Distribution is now the name of the game.  Many US publishers use a "consolidation service" to bulk-post journals. The end result is mass delivery of various titles at a random (assumed close) distribution centre. Claimed issues are also sent out this way. To the same address.  So if it didn't get there the first time..... there's a quote somewhere, about the ability to replicate one's errors, perfectly. As someone pointed out to me, if every non delivery costs iro £150 a time - that's 7 nursing textbooks, or 1-2 decent medical tomes.

Subscribers can ask subscription agents to remove them from this scheme, but many US publishers won't post out titles individually. It will cost them, you see... Subscription agents are aware of the offending publishers, but have signally failed to pass this information on to customers. Both Ebsco and Swets are equally guilty. The suggestion is to call for a meeting with your subscription agent, & let them know very firmly that you do not wish to be a part of this "service"; and how are they communicating your dissatisfaction to the publisher?

On a more philosophical point, I wonder if this will prove to be the tipping point at which those of us who can switch to electronic access? We cannot rely on print - and printshould  be more expensive than e-access (it rarely is..). It also strikes me a Good Idea to have a list of who holds what (in print).

Thank you for all your replies - you're not alone. And neither am I!

Just off to the Carol Serice...

best wishes - Zena

Zena Woodley B.A.(Joint Hons), MCLIP ~ Information Resources Manager ~ The Warner Library, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford CM1 7ET T: 01245 514310 e: [log in to unmask] Ask an Information Expert - it's what we do. All day. Every day.

Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust Caring for you, Caring about you.

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