ABSTRACT
This paper discusses a medium sized academic library’s decision to consolidate its subscriptions with one periodical vendor and the trends that influenced this decision: library automation, greater emphasis on collection development, increased sophistication of agents’ services, and rising serial costs. While noting the pros and cons of agent use, the reluctance of librarians to just use one vendor, the historical development of subscription agencies, as well as criteria for vendor selection, this paper emphasizes the benefits achieved for the library in terms of collection management including, budgeting and formula allocation, automation, and serials acquisitions work. Such a description will hopefully assist other librarians to reach a conclusion.
