ASA Documents

THE WORK OF SUBSCRIPTION AGENTS
The Serial Groups

The United Kingdom Serials Group (UKSG)

The ASA attaches great importance to the work of the UKSG, which with over 620 organisational members is going from strength to strength, not only through the popularity of its annual conference and short courses, but through its publishing programme. Since 1988 the group has published "Serials: the Journal of the United Kingdom Serials Group." It appears three times a year and includes papers given at the Annual Conference, other conferences, and articles and news of interest to members.

The Group has been involved in the following joint publications:

• DJB Report. The Future of Electronic Information Intermediaries
  A survey undertaken by DJB Associates published September 1996.
  * SOLD OUT*

 
• Serials Publications: guidelines for good practise in publishing printed journals and other serial publications
  Prepared jointly with ALPSP, ASA, SPE. ISBN 0906148 10 3; 1994; 48pp; A4.

 
• Taming the Electronic Jungle - electronic information: the collection management issues
  Conference proceedings edited by Mary Morley and Hazel Woodward and published jointly with NAG. ISBN 1870269 10 1; 1993; 125pp; A5; £26 members of UKSG or NAG; £28 non-members; orders: National Acquisitions Group, Westfield House, North Road, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 5HG; Tel/fax 0113 259 1447.

 
• Endangered Species: evolving strategies for library collections management
  Conference proceedings edited by Hazel Woodward and Mary Morley, published jointly with NAG. ISBN 1870269 14 4; 1995; 118pp; A5; £25 members of UKSG or NAG; £27 non-members; orders: Jill Tolson, UKSG ( see below)

 
• Serials Management: A Practical Hand Book
  Edited by Fiona Buettel and Margaret Graham, published jointly with ASLIB. ISBN 0 85142 239 X; orders: Jill Tolson, UKSG (see below)

The UK Serials Group exists to encourage the exchange and promotion of ideas on printed and electronic serials and the process of scholarly communication. Within and beyond the immediate community, UKSG aims to:

• promote discussion and the free flow of information on serials matters and associated new technologies
• develop personal and formal links between all parties in the serials information chain
• encourage professional awareness, stimulate research and provide a programme of training and education

An autonomous, non-profit making, national and international interest group, it spans the wide range of interest and activity between serials producers and readers. Enquires about membership should be sent to:

The North American Serials Interest Group

It is encouraging that other similar groups have been set up in other parts of the world, most notably in USA where the North American Interest Serials Group (NASIG) is flourishing. Established in 1985 NASIG is an independent organisation that promotes communication and sharing of ideas among all members of the serials information chain - anyone working with or concerned about serials publications.

Their scope is defined to include opportunities for communication and discussion of mutual problems and interest, to provide a forum for debating "hot topics" to foster a unity of purpose with diversity, and to arrive at resolutions through teamwork, camaraderie and respectful discourse.

There are over one thousand members. A very successful annual conference is held each June. Publications include NASIG Newsletter, Annual Conference Proceedings and a Membership Directory. Enquires about membership should be sent to:

The European Federation of Serials Groups

The UK Serials Group was a promoter and founder member of the European Federation of Serials Groups, an organisation whose aims are:

• to foster close and effective liaison between organisations in Europe having a professional interest in serial publications
• to foster awareness and understanding of professional, commercial, economic and user issues concerning serial publications and related information sources products and services between its members in a European and broader international context
• to establish and propound collective policies representing the interests of its members at a European or broader international level
• to give information, advice and encouragement to those wishing to establish serials interest groups in their own countries
• to organise conferences, seminars, exhibitions and training courses, and other meetings and activities as means among others, by which the above aims may be fulfilled.

Three European Serials Groups Conferences have been organised: 1990: The Netherlands; 1992: The Netherlands; 1996: Ireland.

Member organisations of the EFSG are:

Danish Serials Group

Hungarian Serials Group

Founded in December 1994, its members come from all sectors of the serials industry: publishers, subscription agents, librarians and information workers. The aims of the Group are:

• to encourage and promote discussion and co-operation concerning serials and associated areas between all interested parties
• to develop and maintain links between all those concerned with serials and associated areas, both nationally and internationally
• to encourage professional awareness and provide training and education
• to be a forum for the exchange of information
• to be a representative body of the profession in major decision-making processes

The NVB Serials Group. The Netherlands.

Aims:

• to promote the discussion between all associated groups about the function and form of publication of the scientific periodical and other serial publications
• to develop and maintain contacts between all those involved in the creation, production, distribution and use of scientific periodicals
• to increase and promote the knowledge of current problems regarding the creation and use of scientific periodicals
• to stimulate and support the development of research in the field of periodicals management

Membership enquires should be sent to:

Spanish Serials Group (Grupo Español de Revistas)

Swedish Serials Group

OTHER SERIAL GROUPS

The Australian Serials Special Interest Group (ASSIG)

Aims:

• to bridge the gap between the national and international producer and the end user of serials by providing a forum for the interchange of information, ideas, suggestions and the solution of problems
• to promote professional awareness among all those concerned with serials
• to provide continuing education for serials and to encourage and assist library educators to provide adequate coverage of serials in their courses
• to identify and discuss future directions in serials
• to co-operate with similar groups overseas

Members receive ASSIG Newsletter which is published quarterly. Regular seminars and workshops are held around Australia.

Membership enquires should be sent to:

The South African Serials Interest Group (SASIG)

This was formed in 1987 with the following objectives:

• to stimulate awareness of the importance of serials and serials librarianship
• to provide a forum and informal network for the exchange of ideas, opinions and points of view
• to provide continuous education through seminars and workshops
• to interface with subscription agents as a means of improving communication for the benefit of serials personnel
• to keep members informed of national and international trends and developments in the field of serials librarianship by holding regular meetings and through the publication of a newsletter.

At least three meetings are held every year. Two regional groups exist, one servicing the Gauteng area, and the other The Western cape. A Newsletter 'SASIG Forum' is distributed at least four times a year.

Enquiries should be sent to:

Return to the ASA homepage