Document D3

BCRA's Journal Exchange Programme

Over the years of BCRA's existence we have assembled a large collection of books, journals and scientific publications. This collection now comprises a part of the National Caving Library, which is managed by BCRA on behalf of the British Caving Association. BCRA is keen to maintain its collection of journals and caving club publications from the UK and around the world. We encourage clubs to deposit their publications in the National Caving Library in addition to the standard Legal Deposit requirements.

We operate a 'journal exchange programme' with overseas caving clubs and national bodies where, in exchange for receiving donations to our library, we supply copies of BCRA periodicals free of charge.

Although the 'last modified' date of this web page may be recent, the bulk of its content dates from 2008 and is now scheduled for revision. Some of the information on this page may be out-of-date.

BCRA is keen to maintain its collection of journals and caving club publications from the UK and around the world. We encourage clubs to deposit their publications in the National Caving Library in addition to the standard Legal Deposit requirements. We operate a 'journal exchange programme' with overseas caving clubs and national bodies where, in exchange for receiving donations to our library, we supply copies of BCRA periodicals free of charge. From time to time it is necessary to review the list of organisations with which we exchange and so, in Spring 2008, when Cave & Karst Science subscriptions are due for renewal, we are asking our exchange partners to re-register with us.

The criteria for receiving free exchange copies of BCRA periodicals are not easy to define because they amount to a statement of 'what we would like in our library' rather than a rigid formula. Broadly speaking, we are looking for publications that are of similar quality, content, and frequency of publication to BCRA periodicals - e.g. speleological science journals and magazines covering expedition and sport caving. We prefer publications in the English language but we would also welcome key international publications in other languages. Journals produced by local caving clubs are particularly welcome provided they are of sufficient quality - a photocopied newsletter would probably not merit an exchange with us because, unfortunately, our budget for printing and postage is limited - although we are happy to receive these items as donations.

We realise that many publications are produced by volunteers and may be published at irregular dates. That is true of BCRA's periodicals as well as others! Where irregular publication of your material has, in the past, resulted in our cancelling an exchange; or where BCRA's irregular publication has resulted in your missing items of ours, we shall be happy to discuss the exchange of back-issues to fill any gaps in a series.

BCRA has stock of most back-issues of Cave & Karst Science, Speleology, Caves & Caving and of precursors to these publications. Where we are unable to provide back-issues specifically as an 'exchange' (e.g. due to the significant postage costs), we shall nevertheless be happy to provide the actual publications free of charge, provided that we have sufficient surplus stock and that you pay the postage or arrange collection by hand (e.g. at our national conference).

Exchanging periodicals with UK caving clubs has always posed a slight problem for us. Obviously, if we offered to exchange something with every UK club, none would want to pay for BCRA membership. For this reason, although we encourage UK clubs to contribute to the national caving library, we cannot always offer anything in exchange. However, as noted above, we are happy to provide back-issues free of charge (apart from postage) where this will help to fill a gap in your BCRA collections. We can also supply moderate quantities of some back-issues as promotional material. If you would like copies of a particular item, please enquire to see how many spares we have available.

If you have published a book or other item that you would like to deposit in the library, and you would like it to be reviewed for Speleology or Cave & Karst Science, please contact the editors of these periodicals. They will arrange for a review and will then forward the item to the BCRA librarian.