ACQNET v3n029 (March 22, 1993) URL = http://www.infomotions.com/serials/acqnet/acq-v3n029 ISSN: 1057-5308 *************** ACQNET, Vol. 3, No. 29, March 22, 1993 ====================================== (1) FROM: Christian SUBJECT: Who's new on ACQNET today (14 lines) (2) FROM: David Marshall SUBJECT: Acquisitions profession (24 lines) (3) FROM: Laurie Musgrove SUBJECT: Staff morale (52 lines) (4) FROM: Jeffrey Kalusniak SUBJECT: Selene Books (10 lines) (5) FROM: Jeri Van Goethem SUBJECT: Paying for small purchases (23 lines) (6) FROM: Jeri Van Goethem SUBJECT: CV Haji Masagung, Jakarta, Indonesia (9 lines) (7) FROM: Rosann Bazirjian SUBJECT: Allergens in books (10 lines) (8) FROM: Lawrence Caylor SUBJECT: Books for sale (9 lines) (1)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: March 22, 1993 From: Christian Subject: Who's new on ACQNET today Ada K. Albright Sister Gilmary Speirs Collections Assistant Media Acquisitions Librarian Cornell University Library Marywood College E-mail: ABAX@CORNELLC.CIT.CORNELL.EDU E-mail: SPEIRS@MARYWOOD1.MARYWOOD.EDU Kim S. Anderson Kathern J. Miraglia Regional Sales Manager Head, Acquisitions Blackwell's Catholic University Library E-mail: ANDERSON@BNAMF.BLACKWELL.COM E-mail: KMIRAG@WRLCVM.BITNET (2)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1993 14:11 EST From: David Marshall (Georgetown University) Subject: Acquisitions profession - or not? Like many others who have contributed here on how they spend their days and nights and weekends, I too often work long hours - we are simultaneously reorganizing technical services, renovating, and bring up a new system. Therefore, I get a little baffled, confused, irate, etc., on occasions such as when I read the "Preliminary report of the OCLC Users Council Task Force on the Future use of the Online Union Catalog" which appeared in _AN2_ v.5, no.12. For those who do not get the newsletter or otherwise have not seen the report, under the heading "Assumptions," the Task Force identified five categories of use of the Online Union Catalog. These are Cataloging, Reference, Interlibrary Loan, Collection Development, and Use by Library Patrons. -- Why wasn't Acquisitions considered among the categories of use? Did I not read the report closely enough? Are we assumed under one of the five named categories? At Georgetown, we have used OCLC for years in our pre-order search routines! From what I have been reading on ACQNET recently, more and more of us are downloading bibliographic records at the time of ordering for copy cataloging, and while this may be considered Cataloging, these are first Acquisitions order records, right? Not intending to blaspheme, but is Acquisina a false goddess? It's Saturday - I think I'll go home! (3)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: 22 Mar 93 09:01:35 +0200 (SAST) From: Laurie Musgrove (University of Natal) Subject: Having fun After reading Joe Barker's article on morale boosting, I was relieved to find that there are others out there just as zany as we are. Competitions are always fun, and a good way to shift the brain into overdrive. My staff and I recently had a Valentine's day competition. This came in two parts - firstly to find the most suggestive and tasteless card, and secondly, to send it to the person who would be the most offended outwardly - but secretly enjoy it. Suggestions for prizes ranged from the usual to "a romantic evening with the Principal." Because we, like every one else it would seem, have suffered so many budget cuts in recent years, we are always looking for ways to cut expenditure and generate additional funds. I thought that you may benefit from some of the suggestions put forward. That we hire an 087 line (usually reserved for very explicit and often obscene advice on any number of topics) and conduct our educational activities at R5.97 a minute under the auspices of Telkom, our telephone corporation. This idea has considerable merit when one considers the saving in salaries which it would entail, although two serious problems would have to be dealt with. Firstly, as with all other 087 services, a system would have to be devised to keep the student on the line for long enough to pay for the administration of the University. The second problem is potentially more serious, in that, if the appropriate official of Telkom decides that the whole scheme is too sleazy, we may have to resort to offering "Your Most Daring Fantasy", in place of BComms and DPhils. Another proposal, was that instead of the usual adverts for beer mugs and ties printed in the publications sent to alumni, the back page could offer a number of highly desirable upmarket services such as, naughty bits from the library, an escort service operating from the residences, a massage and sauna with all the extras, in the sports hall and the ever popular custom made "Blue Movies". Finally, I came up with the idea that we start a new "gift and exchange" programme, whereby staff would be requested or enforced, to donate or exchange, a particular organ or part, of his or her anatomy. Once we had ironed out the initial teething problems - some parts being more desirable than others - this scheme could have very definite possibilities. Apart from the more obvious benefits - a great pair of legs, or a cute behind, a person could be forced for instance, to have a change of heart or adopt a more positive attitude. I volunteered to start the ball rolling by donating part of my brain, thereby giving me the opportunity I've been waiting for. To give a few people a piece of my mind!! (4)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: 19 Mar 93 09:20:01 EST From: Jeffrey Kalusniak (The Book House) <75230.3554@CompuServe.COM> Subject: SELENE BOOKS I think ACQNET readers will be interested in the following: Regarding Selene Books, P.O. Box 81702, Albuquerque, NM 87198: We strongly suggest that other vendors and libraries do not send pre-payment to this publisher. Contact us directly if specific information is required. (5)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Mar 93 08:09:09 EST From: Jeri Van Goethem (Duke University) Subject: Paying for small purchases How do you manage payments for small foreign purchases which cost the dealer more to cash the check and convert the dollars than the item being purchased is worth? I know we normally pay mega-bucks to foreign vendors, but OCCASIONALLY there are some inexpensive purchases. For example, we recently received a letter from a British book dealer informing us that he would not be cashing our $5.00 check--he would be framing it, instead, as that would be cheaper! Some Latin American dealers want us to send payment in their currency instead of dollars (which we cannot do). I guess this is a sad commentary on the dollar! There is also the problem on our end of the expense of writing small checks. Since it costs approximately $35+ to cut a check, we would like to batch as many payments as possible. Interlibrary loan payments are especially annoying as we must write small checks to those libraries now charging fees and/or for photocopying charges. We have tried to work out reciprocal "exchange" arrangements with as many institutions as possible, but are still left with too many little checks. Does anyone have a solution to these two problems? (6)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Sat, 20 Mar 93 08:09:09 EST From: Jeri Van Goethem (Duke University) Subject: CV Haji Masagung, Jakarta, Indonesia Can anyone provide a reference for CV Haji Masagung, Jakarta, Indonesia. We would like to buy $3000 worth of books from this dealer, but he will not ship without prepayment. Has anyone had any experience using this source? Please e-mail: jvy@mail.lib.duke.edu; or call: 919-660-5894. (7)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Mar 1993 08:44:40 EST From: Rosann Bazirjian (Syracuse University) Subject: Allergens in books We have a staff member who had an "allergic" reaction to the handling of PL-480 books. She felt a burning sensation in the eyes, irritation of the respiratory tract, a "prickly" sensation in the skin on her hands, and she experienced mood swings. Has anyone else had this occur? In addition, does anyone have a definite answer to what might have caused this reaction? Are these books treated with chemicals upon their entry into the country? (8)------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Wed, 17 Mar 93 15:56:40 EST From: Lawrence Caylor (U. of Mass. - Lowell) Subject: Books for sale I have about 300 recently published titles which frugal librarian may acquire at 45-95% below list; many are in _BIP_. A list will be mailed to anyone who is interested. (The proceeds will be used to buy more books for the library.) ****** END OF FILE ****** ACQNET, Vol. 3, No. 29 ****** END OF FILE ******