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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
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| 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 |
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