Twice this week I have heard of librarians discussing either an interaction with a specific vendor or the product from a specific vendor on a listserv, and, as a result of that conversation, the vendor has contact the librarian's employer off the listserv (presumably to request either disciplinary action or a retraction).  

Has this happened to you or a colleague?  If so, I am interested in hearing more about it - the specifics of the case (if they can be shared, of course), how your administration reacted, what the ultimate solution was.  If it hasn't happened to you, I'd still be interested in hearing your thoughts on the purpose of listserv communication, how it is used to discuss vendors and products, and what it means when a vendor takes that communication and contacts an employer in regards to it.  

If you are hesitant to post about an interaction with a vendor directly to the list, please feel free to contact me off list at the contact information below.  As I gather information on this, I am happy to work with you to protect anonymity if that is what you prefer.  I also think this is a two-way street.  I would be interested in hearing from vendors who have contacted, or wished they could perhaps contact, a librarian's supervisor to help me understand why this might be necessary. 

In the interest of full disclosure, I am noodling on the idea of an editorial of some kind on this topic, but nothing is finalized.  I am really just fascinated by this phenomenon and interested in people's thoughts. 

Thanks,

Cris Ferguson