ASA Documents
THE WORK OF SUBSCRIPTION AGENTS
Advantages for Libraries: A summary of the services offered
1. Administrative:
- A single source of all orders, claims and renewals.
- Detailed bibliographic and management information.
- Simplification of the renewal process by provision of single checklists.
- Claim and order stationery.
- Reporting service on the status of all orders, claims, cancellations and queries.
- Provision of bibliographic tools like agents serials catalogues.
- Consolidation services for the complete collection, check-in and delivery of issues.
- Checklists split by budget and cost centre codes.
2. Cost Effective:
- Minimal invoicing in a single currency for a complete collection.
- Discounts associated with invoice pre-payment.
- Local point of contact for telephone or written communications.
3. Technological:
- On-line access to agents' database for bibliographic data.
- Agents provide some of the best solutions for serials automation.
- Agents can provide value-added current awareness and document delivery services.
- Agents offer E-Mail addresses for fast cost-free communication.
- Agents are working with the major library systems suppliers in the area of EDI.