I have started to use Catalog Choice in order to eliminate paper-based catalogues that I receive. I receive lots of catalogues for personal products that go straight into the recycle bin, so this allows me to get off their mailing list.
As we think about being green, is there some way that we can communicate to library vendors in general, and SLA's partners specifically, about what types of products we're interested in as individuals, so that the correct catalogues and mailings come our way? I would expect that our library vendors would appreciate sending mailings to people who are actually interested in and purchase their types of products.
One way to cut down on vendor mailings is to be VERY careful where you drop your business card (or have your card scanned) at SLA conferences. I NEVER put my card in for something I don't want to win and sometimes even tell them not to put me on their mailing list.
Posted by: Judith Siess | 14 July 2008 at 02:54 PM
Be Careful: I signed up with Catalog Choice about a year ago, at the suggestion of a trusted source. But since then I receive WAY MORE mailed paper catalogs. My guess is that you're now considered fair game for any catalogs you don't specifically say no to. Big disappoint.
Posted by: Andrea Avni | 17 July 2008 at 03:11 PM
I never buy from spammers.
That said, I would rather get e-mail from vendors than to get paper that I will recycle.
Is there something I can check on a form that will eliminate these mailings that use my SLA membership directory information?
I want to OPT OUT.
BTW I think these things should be Opt IN.
Posted by: Barbara Wagner | 23 July 2008 at 05:41 PM
Great topic! I just asked about how to reduce the amount of junk mail I am getting from vendors on my personal blog (www.infogarden.wordpress.com). I look forward to reading more ideas that readers submit here. I also agree with poster Andrea Avni above, let's send a message to SLA vendors to contact by email if possible. It would be great to have that option on my SLA registration as well!
Posted by: April Younglove | 23 July 2008 at 06:44 PM
Great topic! I just asked about how to reduce the amount of junk mail I am getting from vendors on my personal blog (www.infogarden.wordpress.com). I look forward to reading more ideas that readers submit here. I also agree with poster Andrea Avni above, let's send a message to SLA vendors to contact by email if possible. It would be great to have that option on my SLA registration as well!
Posted by: April Younglove | 23 July 2008 at 06:45 PM
From one vendor's viewpoint... we try to screen who we scan at SLA by not taking the information of people who have not spoken to us about our services. If the person indicates that they are only interested in our giveaways then we make a note of that so we don't waste our time or the librarian's time.
Also from this vendor's viewpoint... we always email or call first. If you aren't really interested or an email will get the conversation rolling... that's great for us too. It would be polite to answer these emails though because being ignored does generate paper in the form of some sort of mailing. We have to make these conferences pay for us too. No leads.... no attendance.
Posted by: Deb Knox | 01 August 2008 at 02:38 PM
Especially for the SLA Conference paper mailings, about half of which I received in Canada in the two weeks AFTER the conference, with the great promotional items etc.....I really would prefer email on these.
Posted by: Kim Feltham | 02 August 2008 at 12:39 AM