-------- Original Message --------
Subject: print vs. electronic serials in public libraries
Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2002 11:45:02 -0500
From: Abby Schor <aschor@AHML.LIB.IL.US>

I am at a mid-sized public library, and we are currently considering the
issue of print vs. electronic periodicals.  We have seen the use of our
paper periodicals drop, while electronic resource use goes up.  Our
paper collection seems to be used more for recreational or leisure
purposes, while students and others doing research rely on electronic
databases.  Do any of you have a formula or other way to determine how
much of your budget to devote to paper (or micoform) periodicals and how
much for electronic databases?  As an Illinois library, we are fortunate
to have free access to many FirstSearch databases, and we subscribe to
several of the Gale products (such as General Reference Center, Expanded
Academic, General Business File, and Health Reference Center). Do you
drop a subscription to a little-used paper or microform product if your
vendor provides it full text?  Do you have a policy covering such
decisions?  I'd be interested in anything you'd like to share about th!
is, particularly from other public libraries.

Abby Schor
Collection Specialist
Arlington Heights Memorial Library
500 N. Dunton Avenue
Arlington Heights, Illinois  60004
847-870-4310 (voice)
847-392-0136 (fax)