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Date:         Wed, 16 Dec 1992 15:32:00 EST
From:         "NIEHS LIBRARY, (EXT. 3426)" <WRIGHT_L@NIEHS.BITNET>
Subject:      Storepostings overflow

   Have I ever run into this?  Let's strike a sore spot here!

   Yes, I've experienced this many times.  I might add, that our institute got
the very first password from NLM and we have THE online searcher here that
acquired that password.  So that translates to this: he's searched NLM
probably longer than anyone left at NLM!

   Next: we are part of the National Institutes of Health.  So when they come
up with lame excuses about contract help and the like, that sniveling does not
go very far here.

   I digress.  Let's address your problem, as I've experienced it.  Yes, I
noticed this situation.  It is highly problematic in TOXLINE.  I brought this
to their attention.  Their reply?  As always, we should learn how to design a
search strategy!  I find that response typical of NLM.

   I find NLM to be a dinosaur of the past.  It has invested in Grateful MED
and neglected MEDLARS service.  OFFLINE print service always has been vile.
I've had mine shipped in a box, six times the size, with no packing materials.
It bounced around in there all the way from D.C. to NC and you should have
seen what they looked like.  When I called, what was their reply?  Well they
all were there weren't they?  I have not addressed the offline prints I
receive from CANADA, MAINE, BOSTON, NEW MEXICO AND HONOLULU!   Why people have
been remailing NLM offline prints to each other for years because NLM refuses
to address their offline print mailing problems.  Then there is the problem
with their mailers tearing in the mail, leaving offline prints strung over
three states.  When I addressed that situation to them, they said (1) they
could not be responsible for what happens in the post office.  I countered
that perhaps they might try to get stronger envelopes that will withstand
mailing prints at the class of mail they are willing to pay for.  They
whimpered that the mailing enevelopes were supplied under government contract
and that was what they had to use.  I told them that was no excuse as they
could change miminum standards for the quality of the envelope.  Then they
said the problem was with the address I supplied to them that my mailings
were the only ones to experience this.  I let them know that EPA shared these
problems as well.

   I find NLM to be clouded with self importance, constantly blaming their
problems on others.

   As a Federal Worker and one who takes pride in my work, I find this
troubling.  The rest of are thrown in a common class of those who seem to feel
happy with a substandard product.

   Don't get me wrong, MeSH is the best thesaurus in the world, thanks to
THelma Charrin (spelling) who they retired a few years ago.  Their indexing is
consistently good.  The service stops there!  If you want access to that
information, I find it cheaper to search their information through another
vendor.  I retrieve my information quicker (I don't have to endure their
archaic "continue printing yes/no" commands), I get a better product (who,
these days prints the source of a document at the END of a full record?) and I
am assured that when I excecute a command, I will not get bumped because their
1960s computer cannot handle it!

   I find it sad, that the Institution that started ONLINE database searching
is now the dinosaur.  I find it very sad, that they cannot comprehend what is
happening.   Soon they will be reduced to an indexing shop, supplying
materials for other vendors to make a killing on the product we, as tax
payers, paid NLM to gather.  As a librarian, thinking through this a little,
it does little to boost the image of librarianship.  And these days, how long
will taxpayers be willing to support such an institution.

   They will look at the hardware/software and say it does not pay to maintain
such dated materials.  Soon the indexing will crumble and NLM will be reduced
to the library.

   So you see, you have struck a very sensitive issue here.  Few people seem
to challenge NLM as they should.  I find the whole situation, well, sad!

   I could go on-and-on concerning communications I've had with them.  I don't
believe I'm too popular up there, but then, they're not very popular with my
clients either!
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