- Email: [email protected]
Searching the electronic marketplace for out-of-print books
196
A L A Annual Conference - - 1995
items without on-site assistance. It was evident during this meeting that document collections are receiving more attention and the circulation and use of GPO materials are greatly increased when complete cataloging records are placed in online catalogs.
PII S0364-6408(96)00040-3
Dorothy K. Marcinko Head, Acquisitions Department Auburn University Libraries Auburn University, AL 36849 Internet: dmarcink@ lib.auburn.edu
Searching the Electronic Marketplace for Out-of-Print Books The ALCTS Out-of-Print Discussion Group's program in Chicago featured Richard Weatherford, President of Interloc, Inc. and a former antiquarian book dealer and appraiser. He began his presentation by explaining that his company, which went online in June 1994, is not in the business of buying and selling books. Instead, he says that they are the "stock exchange" of OP buying, providing an online matching system for buyers and sellers. Weatherford, in discussing the difficulties involved in searching the out-of-print market, said that libraries can find it a time-consuming business, productive only with sufficient staff and close relationships with a few book dealers. The marketplace has always been too fragmented to deal with systematically, even for dealers who send out lists, put advertisements in journals, make phone calls, and/or utilize book scouts. A search can take a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks, but a more likely time frame is 4 to 6 months. By the time a dealer finds the book, the person who requested it may no longer want it. The idea for Interloc began several years ago as Weatherford watched other online out-of-print searching ventures come and go. His principles for a successful online service are: 1. The computer should be able to do the matching between buyer and seller and should return those matches to the buyer. 2. There should be a shorter time between the request and the delivery of the item than currently possible. 3. A request should be input only once but be kept active until it is filled or withdrawn by the buyer. 4. A library or individual who does not wish to subscribe should be able to have someone already using the service search for titles for them without incurring unreasonable costs. 5. Libraries and book dealers should be able to make money using this system. Not only would libraries be able to sell books themselves, but they should be able to sell this as a service to patrons. Plans for Interloc, Inc. were developing as Internet came into being and began to expand its capabilities. Weatherford realized that just listing items on the Interact was not going to advance the technology in any way and would not match the principles listed above. There needed to be easier access to and tracking of information. So he developed a system that utilized Internet, but went beyond its limitations. Interloc functions by letting book sellers upload their stock lists, and libraries and other customers upload want lists via the Internet. This can be done online, but it is less expensive to fill out the tern-
ALAAnnual Conference- - 1995
197
plate provided and send it in a file to be batch uploaded overnight. The computer searches all the items on the new want lists against the database of books offered by dealers, matching on author, rifle, topic (key word), edition, and/or binding. The matches, including dealer information, are sent to the requester the next day, then the requester contacts the dealers to make arrangements for purchasing the desired items. Dealers are not given the names of customers for whom a match is made. If a match is not found, the computer will continue to search it each day against all new items uploaded by dealers. Interloc is unable to provide statistics regarding the number of items that have been purchased through the matches it provides. Sellers are not required to record that information when they remove an item from the database. Some dealers do record their sales online and these transactions go into another database, which the company expects will be offered to customers on a CD-ROM product with regular updates. This information could be useful in the appraisal process. At this point this database includes 125,000 titles. Interloc does not charge a per transaction or per sale fee. A one-time $100 sign-up fee provides the customer with the software, instruction manual, user I.D., and password. The monthly maintenance fee is $12.50. Connect time is $32 per hour via an 800 number. For customers using more than 1 hour a month, subsequent connect time is $28.80 per hour. The charge for each item listed is 1/3 cent per month per item. Because Interloc does not charge per transaction, a library whose out-of-print searching volume is small can negotiate with one or more book dealers who subscribe to this service. Weatherford said that he would assist libraries by providing names of subscribers for them to call. Currently the service handles anything paper-based, including hardcover and paperback books, pamphlets, documents, autographs, photographs, scores, maps, and atlases. Weatherford did say they occasionally list ephemera, such as stamps and coins. Perhaps the most unusual item sold through Interloc was Jack London's coffeepot, which sold for $7,000! Eventually they expect to include sound recordings and videos. So far Interloc has included very few periodical titles, though this may change in the future. After 1 year in operation, Weatherford reports that Interloc is making a profit. Of the 2.8 million records uploaded this year, 1.8 million matches have been sent to customers. These matches are not necessarily individual sales, but are opportunities for the customer to contact the dealer. Interloc's current customer base includes 625 dealers, libraries, and individuals world-wide. Weatherford ended the presentation by providing a hands-on demonstration of the software. He gave each participant a packet of information, which included 5" and 3" diskettes with an online tutorial. On a personal note, I installed the software on my computer and ran the tutorial. It is easy to use and gives a good overview of all aspects of Interloc. For more information, contact Richard Weatherford at Interloc, Inc., P.O. Box 5, Southworth WA 98386 (360-871-3617).
PII S0364-6408(96)00039-7
Barbara K. Nelson Order Librarian Auburn University Libraries Auburn University, AL 36849 Internet: [email protected]
Highlights of ALCTS/Role of the Professional in Academic Technical Services Discussion Group "Positioning for Our Future: Examining the Impact of Organizational Change" was the title and theme of this program. While all three presenters spoke about the organizational changes occurring
A L A Annual Conference - - 1995
items without on-site assistance. It was evident during this meeting that document collections are receiving more attention and the circulation and use of GPO materials are greatly increased when complete cataloging records are placed in online catalogs.
PII S0364-6408(96)00040-3
Dorothy K. Marcinko Head, Acquisitions Department Auburn University Libraries Auburn University, AL 36849 Internet: dmarcink@ lib.auburn.edu
Searching the Electronic Marketplace for Out-of-Print Books The ALCTS Out-of-Print Discussion Group's program in Chicago featured Richard Weatherford, President of Interloc, Inc. and a former antiquarian book dealer and appraiser. He began his presentation by explaining that his company, which went online in June 1994, is not in the business of buying and selling books. Instead, he says that they are the "stock exchange" of OP buying, providing an online matching system for buyers and sellers. Weatherford, in discussing the difficulties involved in searching the out-of-print market, said that libraries can find it a time-consuming business, productive only with sufficient staff and close relationships with a few book dealers. The marketplace has always been too fragmented to deal with systematically, even for dealers who send out lists, put advertisements in journals, make phone calls, and/or utilize book scouts. A search can take a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks, but a more likely time frame is 4 to 6 months. By the time a dealer finds the book, the person who requested it may no longer want it. The idea for Interloc began several years ago as Weatherford watched other online out-of-print searching ventures come and go. His principles for a successful online service are: 1. The computer should be able to do the matching between buyer and seller and should return those matches to the buyer. 2. There should be a shorter time between the request and the delivery of the item than currently possible. 3. A request should be input only once but be kept active until it is filled or withdrawn by the buyer. 4. A library or individual who does not wish to subscribe should be able to have someone already using the service search for titles for them without incurring unreasonable costs. 5. Libraries and book dealers should be able to make money using this system. Not only would libraries be able to sell books themselves, but they should be able to sell this as a service to patrons. Plans for Interloc, Inc. were developing as Internet came into being and began to expand its capabilities. Weatherford realized that just listing items on the Interact was not going to advance the technology in any way and would not match the principles listed above. There needed to be easier access to and tracking of information. So he developed a system that utilized Internet, but went beyond its limitations. Interloc functions by letting book sellers upload their stock lists, and libraries and other customers upload want lists via the Internet. This can be done online, but it is less expensive to fill out the tern-
ALAAnnual Conference- - 1995
197
plate provided and send it in a file to be batch uploaded overnight. The computer searches all the items on the new want lists against the database of books offered by dealers, matching on author, rifle, topic (key word), edition, and/or binding. The matches, including dealer information, are sent to the requester the next day, then the requester contacts the dealers to make arrangements for purchasing the desired items. Dealers are not given the names of customers for whom a match is made. If a match is not found, the computer will continue to search it each day against all new items uploaded by dealers. Interloc is unable to provide statistics regarding the number of items that have been purchased through the matches it provides. Sellers are not required to record that information when they remove an item from the database. Some dealers do record their sales online and these transactions go into another database, which the company expects will be offered to customers on a CD-ROM product with regular updates. This information could be useful in the appraisal process. At this point this database includes 125,000 titles. Interloc does not charge a per transaction or per sale fee. A one-time $100 sign-up fee provides the customer with the software, instruction manual, user I.D., and password. The monthly maintenance fee is $12.50. Connect time is $32 per hour via an 800 number. For customers using more than 1 hour a month, subsequent connect time is $28.80 per hour. The charge for each item listed is 1/3 cent per month per item. Because Interloc does not charge per transaction, a library whose out-of-print searching volume is small can negotiate with one or more book dealers who subscribe to this service. Weatherford said that he would assist libraries by providing names of subscribers for them to call. Currently the service handles anything paper-based, including hardcover and paperback books, pamphlets, documents, autographs, photographs, scores, maps, and atlases. Weatherford did say they occasionally list ephemera, such as stamps and coins. Perhaps the most unusual item sold through Interloc was Jack London's coffeepot, which sold for $7,000! Eventually they expect to include sound recordings and videos. So far Interloc has included very few periodical titles, though this may change in the future. After 1 year in operation, Weatherford reports that Interloc is making a profit. Of the 2.8 million records uploaded this year, 1.8 million matches have been sent to customers. These matches are not necessarily individual sales, but are opportunities for the customer to contact the dealer. Interloc's current customer base includes 625 dealers, libraries, and individuals world-wide. Weatherford ended the presentation by providing a hands-on demonstration of the software. He gave each participant a packet of information, which included 5" and 3" diskettes with an online tutorial. On a personal note, I installed the software on my computer and ran the tutorial. It is easy to use and gives a good overview of all aspects of Interloc. For more information, contact Richard Weatherford at Interloc, Inc., P.O. Box 5, Southworth WA 98386 (360-871-3617).
PII S0364-6408(96)00039-7
Barbara K. Nelson Order Librarian Auburn University Libraries Auburn University, AL 36849 Internet: [email protected]
Highlights of ALCTS/Role of the Professional in Academic Technical Services Discussion Group "Positioning for Our Future: Examining the Impact of Organizational Change" was the title and theme of this program. While all three presenters spoke about the organizational changes occurring