Ordering Procedure:
We have discussed the procedure until the selection is finalised and the lists and the cards are forwarded to the Procurement Section for placing orders. What follows in this section is the procedure relating to ordering the selected periodicals/serials. They are not very much different from the procedures relating to procurement of books as described. Ordering procedures relates to two stages:
• Pre-ordering work
• Order placing work
i) Pre-ordering work Pre-ordering work includes various jobs connected with: invitation for tenders or quotations tabulating the quotations fixing the suppliers or agents signing the contracts For administrative reasons, it becomes essential to call for competitive quotations from different agents/suppliers for the supply of selected periodicals. It is not necessary to call for quotations individually for periodicals since it will not be possible for the agent to underquote the publishers' rates. The agencies would be required to finish their terms of contract in respect of; a) conversion rates for foreign currencies; b) advance payment of subscriptions; c) percentage of trade discounts, if any, offered over subscription rates; d) handling charges, if any, for periodicals coming under no-discount strategy; e) supply of missing issues; f) the executing of an agreement, etc. Apart from service, the financial status of the agent should to be considered while appointing him as a supplier for a fixed period of time, say one or two years.
In case of advance payments) for subscription to foreign periodicals, it may be a wise policy for small libraries to subscribe through Indian subscriptions agents.