---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1999 11:31:16 -0600
From: Naomi Young <naomiy@post.cis.smu.edu>
Subject: Value of Microforms

Most current electronic newspaper and journal archives are text-based,
not image based. Researchers will still have the words and
intellectual content of the original item, but will lack contexual
information such as the placement of the item; size and style of
headlines and other graphics; and the presence, placement, and content
of nearby advertising. Indeed, for some researchers, the advertising
is the *primary focus* of study. It seems unfortunate at best that,
just as popular culture studies are gaining legitimacy, we are busily
planning to undercut much of their primary source material by
replacing a rich context with a plain-text interface.

Naomi Kietzke Young * Periodicals/Microforms Librarian
Southern Methodist University * PO Box 750135
Dallas, TX 75275 * (214) 768-2759
"Bother," said Pooh, "Eeyore, ready two photon torpedoes and lock
phasers on the Heffalump. Piglet, meet me in transporter room three.
Christopher Robin, you have the bridge."