Readers,
I agree with Laurie Thompson's comments and will add the following.
 
The fact that we are having this discussion for the second time in less than 3
months tells me there is a problem with the number and content of many MEDLIB-L
messages for MANY readers.
 
If you check the MEDLIB-L archives you will find that from April 22-25,1994
there was a similar discussion mostly under the subject line "Medlib as a
reference tool" that generated at least 9 postings.  Tamara Turner made some
wonderful suggestions at that time regarding how we could limit and delineate
our postings.
 
On July 20, 1994 Nancy Start, the owner of MEDLIB-L, also offered guidelines
concerning the scope of MEDLIB-L messages under the subject "Reducing Medlib-L
volume" which has generated at least another 8 responses.
 
I consider myself a very tolerant person, and yet recently, I have become
rather frustrated at having to delete messages that are "subscribe" commands,
or are very personal messages meant only for another individual, or are "wants
lists", or are VERY basic reference questions.  In my opinion these are all
inappropriate.  Those of us who subscribe to other lists which do not have this
problem know that it doesn't have to be this way.
 
Yes, it is wonderful to ask a reference question and have it answered WHEN ALL
OTHER RESOURCES HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED.  MEDLIB-L readers have helped me on those
occasions several times.
 
I suggest that Nancy Start look at Tamara's suggestions as well as her own
guidelines and put together a comprehensive "Rules of the List".  Then there
should be some way of tracking messages so that someone who REPEATEDLY violates
the rules can be removed from the list.  Of course, readers will need to be
advised that these rules are in effect.  This may sound drastic, and like
Nancy, I definitely don't want to see the fun taken off of MEDLIB-L, but it
seems that enough readers have voiced their opinions, and that maybe it's time
to take action.  Otherwise 3 months from now we'll be having this discussion
again.
 
I look forward to other suggestions as well.
 
Karen M. Zundel, Director
Health Services Library
McKeesport Hospital
1500 Fifth Avenue                  Medical Librarians...
McKeesport, PA.  15132                 The Specialists' Specialists
phone 412-664-2363
fax   412-664-2581
email [log in to unmask]