---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 16:31:52 -0600
From: Dan Lester <dan@riverofdata.com>
Subject: Re: Disappearing microform titles (Peter V. Picerno)

Thursday, September 06, 2001, 9:40:16 AM, you wrote:

>         1. Is a one-time expenditure for a film, even counting the storage
> and maintenance costs, going to be less advantageous or more advantageous
> than a long-term annually renewable 'lease' for the same information in a
> highly changable (i.e., www) format where access and use restrictions can
> be added annually 'at will' by the publisher/vendor/aggregator?

It all depends.  You also need to consider the aspects of
accessibility, patron preference, etc.  I imagine your patrons are as
fond of microfilm as ours are.

>         2. Will the web formats be 'perpetually' accessible (or at least
> as perpetually accessible as microforms are?)?

Someone has to assume the responsibility of archiving electronic
documents.  So far, not many are stepping up to do that.  Archiving
electronic documents is NOT harder, or less long term, than archiving
print or film documents.

>         3. How will recent court decisions affect the content of a www
> version of a journal or newspaper versus a mocrofilm version? What of new
> decisions regarding formats and copyrights?

Who knows?

>         As usual, there are more questions than answers: and unless we can
> accurately predict the future -- or try to influence the shaping of the
> future -- we'll be left to deal with an 'after the fact' scenario.

Trying to influence the future is fine.  So is tilting at windmills,
at least if you need some exercise.

Remember: Most things predicted never happen; most things that
happen are never predicted.

dan

--
Dan Lester, Data Wrangler  dan@RiverOfData.com
3577 East Pecan, Boise, Idaho  83716-7115 USA
www.riverofdata.com  www.gailndan.com  Stop Global Whining!