Re: Electronic journals in libraries Charles Bailey, University of Houston 03 Mar 1992 21:44 UTC
----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I believe that I was the electronic journal editor in question. Let me state my position again. I am delighted that libraries are providing access to e-serials as locally-mounted files and on CWIS systems. I am sure that other e-serial editors share my enthusiasm for these projects. However, this is a relatively expensive way to provide access, and the number of libraries that will be able to afford this type of access on an ongoing basis may be limited. Keep in mind that storage requirements grow as the number of online back issues increases. I suggest that libraries that lack appropriate computing resources to provide online access on minicomputers or mainframe computers consider printing e-serials out on laser printers, binding them, and making them available in printed form. Issues might also be made available on floppy disk. This is a *relatively* low cost solution to the problem of providing e-serial access. Yes, there are advantages to making e-serials available as searchable databases, and this is a desirable strategy for libraries that can afford it. But, not everyone can. There is nothing sacred about information in electronic form. We have to keep in mind that it is highly likely that the reader will want a printed copy of an electronic article at some point in his or her research. I suspect that the evolving model is electronic distribution, with printing on demand. As time goes on, the quality of locally printed documents will significantly improve. In the meantime, I urge that libraries take a pragmatic approach to e-serials. Noncommercial e-serial publishers can afford to offer you journals without subscription fees because they can avoid physical distribution and accounting costs (the editorial costs are the same as for print journals). Unfortunately, if libraries are going to collect these publications, there will be labor costs and technology costs involved no matter how these publications are made available (try telling your systems librarian that there are no labor costs involved in making an e-serial available as a local database). In essence, libraries are trading subscription fees for the costs involved with making e-serials accessible. What is cheaper a $500 subscription to a print journal or a "free" e-journal? Both have to be processed. The e-journal's real cost will be determined by the access and storage method. Noncommercial e-serials are still in an early stage of their evolution. The pioneers who are publishing them strike me as a fairly idealistic group. There is the possibility that a new publication system can grow out of today's fledgling efforts that would, in the long term, be better for libraries than if e-publishing was left *solely* in the hands of commercial publishers. Libraries are an important part of the scholarly information distribution system. If libraries collect noncommercial e-serials, make them available, and preserve them, then these e-serials have a chance to flourish as a legitimate part of scholarly discourse. If not, it will be much harder for these publications to survive. If libraries only provide access to e-serials as locally-mounted files or as part of CWIS systems, not many libraries will make these serials available. Hats off to those that do! But, for the rest, I would rather have printed copies than nothing. Best Regards, Charles +------------------------------------------------------------+ | Charles W. Bailey, Jr. Voice: (713) 749-4241 | | Assistant Director For Systems FAX: (713) 749-3867 | | University Libraries BITNET: LIB3@UHUPVM1 | | University of Houston CompuServe: 71161,3410 | | Houston, TX 77204-2091 | |------------------------------------------------------------| | Co-Editor, Advances in Library Automation and Networking | | Editor-in-Chief, The Public-Access Computer Systems Review | | Co-Editor, Public-Access Computer Systems News | +------------------------------------------------------------+