**WITH APOLOGIES FOR CROSS POSTING**

Sent on behalf of the UKSG, www.uksg.org/ <http://www.uksg.org/>

UKSG Research Project: Link Resolvers and the Serials Supply Chain

In academic libraries Open URL and linking technology is transforming
access to electronic journals and articles. As digital library
collections become 'mission critical' and libraries move to electronic
only serials, it is essential that electronic content is made available
in a timely, reliable and accurate manner. The accuracy and timeliness
of the knowledge bases that lie behind linking technology is critical.
The experience of many libraries is that while resolver technology has
the real potential to enhance access to digital collections, in practice
it has also introduced a range of new problems. There can be significant
delays in the updating of knowledge bases, the titles in packages from
content aggregators can be inaccurate as is identifying who needs to do
what to solve such problems.

The traditional serials supply chain of publishers, subscription agents
and librarians has become more complex with a new player - companies
providing resolver software and the knowledge bases behind them. By
studying the roles and expectations of the various parts in the supply
chain we should be able to identify and clarify the expectations,
performance issues and barriers that need to be overcome to ensure a
smooth supply chain to the end user.

This email invites tender proposals to undertake a study to identify the
new relationships and information exchange requirements between
publishers, resolver software and knowledge base suppliers, subscription
agents and librarians to maximise the benefit of OpenURL linking.

More detail can be found at: http://www.uksg.org/resolvers.asp and if
you have any questions, please email alison@uksg.org

About the UKSG

The United Kingdom Serials Group (UKSG) www.uksg.org
<http://www.uksg.org/>  exists to encourage the exchange of ideas on
printed and electronic serials and the process of scholarly
communication. In a dynamic environment, the UKSG works to promote
discussion and the free flow of information on serials matters and
associated technology; to develop links between all parties in the
serials information chain; and to encourage professional awareness,
stimulate research and provide a programme of training and education.
The UKSG is a registered charity and a company limited by quarantee. It
is the only organisation spanning the wide range of interest and
activity between serials producers and readers - with a membership of
nearly 600 organisations, a third of them based outside the UK, the UKSG
engages a broad cross-section of people concerned with the publication,
distribution and use of serials.

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