Charles hit the nail right on the head...there is a very fine (and often
blurry) line between all these resources.  If one really wanted to look at
these things from a purely technical point of view, the argument could be
that almost all of our e-journals are databases, since the vast majority of
them are run by databases on the back-end.  It's all a matter of
perspective.

And now we can add even more confusion to this mess by lumping in e-book
collections that are annual subscriptions, can be searched just like an A&I
databases, have a lot in common with both aggregators and packages, and that
also have titles being added to the collections on a regular basis :)

I think we're seeing that there's no silver bullet and that we need to be
flexible in how we deal with these things.  I know here, our budget is tied
to historical decisions made long ago that are almost impossible to change.
Makes for interesting budget meetings.

--
Chad Hutchens
Electronic Resources Librarian
University of Wyoming Libraries
Dept 3334, 1000 E University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071-20000
Ph: (307) 766-5560

> From: Charles McElroy <cnmcelroy@FSU.EDU>
> Reply-To: "SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum"
> <SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU>
> Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 10:53:14 -0400
> To: "SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum" <SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU>
> Subject: Re: [SERIALST] Difference between database and electronic serial
>
> Obviously, sometimes it seems to be a fine line with this definition but
> I generally view a database as a compilation of information from
> different sources whereas an electronic journal title is just that, a
> specific journal title in electronic format that can be classified by a
> subject area.
>
> We separate these formats in our payment model by using a database
> budget code, a general electronic journal budget code (used mostly with
> packages, which are multi-disciplinary), and subject specific electronic
> journal budget codes in addition to subject specific print journal
> budget codes. This helps with generating reports to see what is being
> spent in different subject areas even though it does take a little more
> budgetary management.
>
> Charles
>
>
> Charles McElroy
> Serials Acquisitions Librarian
> Florida State University Libraries
> 711 West Madison Street
> P.O. Box 3061005
> Tallahassee, FL  32306-1005
>
> Phone: 850-645-7911
> Fax: 850-644-5671
> E-mail: cnmcelroy@fsu.edu
>
>
>
> Angelica Freitas wrote:
>> Hello Serials people!!!
>>
>> I have a question!
>> We all know that eventually most of our print collection will convert into
>> electronic format.
>> Here at our library we have a budget line for "database" and another for
>> "serials" (any format, including electronic).
>> Due to budget constraints, some of my colleagues have decided to "pay" for
>> some of their databases from the serials budget. I am a bit confused by all
>> of this and I would like to know if anyone out there knows the difference
>> between a database and electronic journal???
>>
>> Sorry if I sound confusing
>>
>> Angelica Freitas
>> Serials Administrator
>> Sarah Lawrence College Library
>> One Meadway
>> Bronxville, NY
>> 10708
>> TEL: 914-395-2477
>> FAX: 914-395-2473
>> EMAIL: afreitas@slc.edu
>>