DECREASING USE OF MONTHLY SERIALS AFTER PUBLICATION DATE

An exponential curve was fitted to available cumulative frequency data on lapses in months between publication and use of unbound monthly is sues of library journals. From the fitted curve, estimates were made o f how long after publication various percents of use have occurred. Li brarians working with bound issues can use the fifty-percent estimate, eighteen months, as a reasonable time to send journals for binding. A fter five years, when approximately ninety percent of use has occurred , a decision may be made to move bound copies of journals to low-acces s storage.