Hi Sarah,
We are switching to plastic from cardboard. I would not go back
to cardboard again because it draws and retains humidity, forcing the magazines
to be around too much water and begin molding. Metal would be my last choice as
they tend to interact with the chemicals in the magazines and moisture level in
the air. They end up causing a great deal of problems in the conservation of
materials. We are able to buy 4” wide and 2” wide plastic boxes from Demco and
a few other library supply houses. The shelf sizes are small, medium and large
and that refers to both width and height. The large ones will allow for
Advertising Age, B to B and a number of other taller newspaper like magazines to
fit. We order fewer of the large and small. Most of our purchases are 4”
mediums. The catalogs give sizes in inches, so look at the offerings and
measure your journals. You can walk down the aisles of your journals and be
able to count the ones falling in each category. We use 2” boxes for housing
incomplete volumes (mostly 1-6 issues). I think they only come in a medium
size, though. We also keep amounts of print down by replacing them with microfilm.
That takes away the need for binding, preservation, and shelf space. BTW, the
plastic replaces the need for acid free in pamphlet boxes.
We have Voyager for our catalog with a cataloging and
acquisition mode separated. When we check the issues in, they show to the
public in the current issue statement until you close them (when you bind them
or replace them with film). We also have a holdings statement that shows to the
public, so it gives them a feel for what we have overall. If you need to know
real specifics, let me know and my Serials Technician can run you through
procedures, pros and cons of the system. She is also very savvy about the boxes.
You are asking the right questions! Hang in there and I’m sure everyone will
lend you their advice. We will all need to know your OPAC system, as each one
functions differently to show issues and holdings.
Have a great weekend! There are always solutions.
Tinker Massey
Serials Librarian
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FL
From: SERIALST: Serials
in Libraries Discussion Forum [mailto:SERIALST@list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Sarah
Hartman-Caverly
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 10:43 AM
To: SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [SERIALST] Magazine holders/files for loose journal issues?
Hello SERIALSTs,
Now that
we're in a new fiscal year with a dramatically smaller binding budget, we're
planning on keeping unbound print issues in the stacks in magazine
holders (aka magazine files).
Can anyone
recommend a reliable brand/vendor? Cardboard or plastic? Archival/acid-free? If
you're using a similar system, how do you account for the great size diversity
among journals when ordering your files? How do you record these holdings in
your OPAC?
Any other
advice/lessons learned from experience is greatly appreciated! I don't even
know if I'm asking the right questions.
Thanks,
Sarah
Sarah Hartman-Caverly | Library Assistant - Serials
610-526-5297 | 610-526-7480 facsimile | shartmanca@brynmawr.edu
Canaday Library | Bryn Mawr College
101 N. Merion Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010