----------1
>From jmtaylor@VSLA.EDU Thu Dec  9 21:22:56 1999
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 15:54:07 -0500
From: Jean Marie Taylor <jmtaylor@VSLA.EDU>
Subject: Re: Microfilm Pricing (David Goodman)

Many groups, organizations, institutions, associations, etc. are
working on the extremely complex issues of archiving
records and information in electronic format. Microfilm remains
the most permanent storage medium for printed and other
text-based materials such as manuscripts and unpublished
historical documents.

In the Digital Library Program here at the Library of Virginia
we always try to microfilm materials prior to scanning.

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 12:20:34 -0400
> From: David Goodman <dgoodman@Princeton.EDU>
> Subject: Re: Microfilm Pricing
>
> Why would any library now get microfilm for anything they could get in
> electronic format?
> I suspect that the number of purchasers they have may be going down even more
> sharply than subscribers to print. I would put microfilm as a means of access
> to serials in the list of obsolete and endangered technologies. I know there
> is much third world material avail in this format but not online, but
> shouldn't we devote our efforts to scanning these materials rather than
> continuing filming?  I know that correctly stored master microfilm is a
> reliable archival medium, but shouldn't we be developing means of properly
> archiving electronic media instead?
>
> > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 16:05:25 -0800
> > From: Carol Morse <MorsCa@WWC.EDU>
> > Subject: Re: From Robert Bland (Eleanor Cook)
> >
> > I have the same complaint.  I strongly objected to this a couple of years
> > ago when the prices first sky-rocketed.  We cut $3000-worth of microfiche
> > subscriptions at that time.  It seems to me that UMI is trying to imitate
> > spiraling paper prices.  Could it be a case of, The market will take it,
> > we have a semi-monopoly, so let's get all the money we can?  I told our
> > rep what I thought, and he said he would relay my complaints to
> > management, but of course it did no good.  Maybe if others start
> > complaining, we could make an impression.
> >
> > ********************************************************************************
> > Carol Morse                                                  Tel.  509) 527-2684
> > Serials Librarian                                             Fax 509) 527-2001
> > Walla Walla College Library                     Email  morsca@wwc.edu
> > 105 S.W. Adams St.
> > College Place, WA  99324-1195
> >
> > Give us strength for the journey and wisdom to know the way.
> > ********************************************************************************
>
> --
> David Goodman
> Biology Librarian, and
> Co-Chair, Electronic Journals Task Force
> Princeton University Library
> dgoodman@princeton.edu         http://www.princeton.edu/~biolib/
> phone: 609-258-3235            fax: 609-258-2627
>

Jean Marie Taylor
Digital Library Programs
Collection Management Services Division
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street               (voice)  (804) 692-3764
Richmond, Virginia  23219           (fax)    (804) 692-3771
http://www.vsla.edu                 (e-mail) jmtaylor@vsla.edu

----------(2)
>From MorsCa@WWC.EDU Thu Dec  9 21:22:57 1999
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 14:36:35 -0800
From: Carol Morse <MorsCa@WWC.EDU>
Subject: Re: Microfilm Pricing (David Goodman)

I disagree that microforms are going to become obsolete soon.  Computer
technologies change so often that they become obsolete, and one can no
longer access the information.  At least microforms are long-lasting and
they are there in your library when you need them.
Carol M.

********************************************************************************
Carol Morse                                                  Tel.  509) 527-2684
Serials Librarian                                             Fax 509) 527-2001
Walla Walla College Library                     Email  morsca@wwc.edu
105 S.W. Adams St.
College Place, WA  99324-1195

Give us strength for the journey and wisdom to know the way.
********************************************************************************

----------(3)
>From eparang@PEPPERDINE.EDU Thu Dec  9 21:22:57 1999
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999 15:28:36 -0800
From: "Parang, Elizabeth" <eparang@PEPPERDINE.EDU>
Subject: Re: Microfilm Pricing

Cost of the electronic format is still a challenge for many of us.  We do
get a significant number of full-text databases but still find we are
subscribing to titles not available in those databases.  At the time UMI's
prices went up significantly, we were told that one issue was a lack of
demand for certain titles - in our case mostly religious titles; if there
were less than ten subscribers the price jumped significantly.  Needless to
say, I examined my list and started binding some of those more expensive
titles.  Psychiatry was another area where titles were quite high; upon
looking at the actual issues, I was astounded to discover that we were
forcing students to try to read minute charts in microfilm; those were
switched also.  Because space is an issue, I then selected a number of
social science titles to stop binding and begin replacing with microfilm (I
went into the stacks with a ruler and selected the fatest volumes.)

Elizabeth Parang
Coordinator of Periodicals
Pepperdine University