----------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Microfilm remains the most permanent storage medium for printed and other text-based materials such as manuscripts and unpublished historical documents.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
