Subject: Re: Library Link discussion (fwd)
David Goodman (dgoodman@Princeton.EDU)
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 11:22:46 -0400
Message-Id: <36AC8C43.E49EC9D@princeton.edu> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1999 11:22:46 -0400 From: David Goodman <dgoodman@Princeton.EDU> To: arl-ejournal@arl.org Subject: Re: Library Link discussion (fwd) References: <001f01be46f0$0dd65c00$8c5eac3e@default>
On 23 Jan 1999, Anthony Watkinson <anthony.watkinson@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
> On 23 Jan 1999, Tony Barry <tonyb@dynamite.com.au> wrote:
> >
> > On 22/1/99, Chris Keenan <ckeenan@mcb.co.uk> quoting comments from
> > the current Library Link discussion wrote:
> > >
> > >"If a publisher is not prepared to allow for archival copying of
> > > electronic journals ... avoid dealing with that publisher"
> >
> > I'd go further. If a journal is not made available under reasonable
> > conditions electronically such as -
> >
> > No requirement to subscribe to the print version
> > A subscription price for the electronic version lower
> > than the print version
> > Clear permission for fair dealing
> > Access at the article level as an alternative to subscription
> > The retention of electronic publishing rights by the author
> >
> > Then I would suggest -
> >
> > Do not submit papers to that journal
> > Do not cite work written in that journal
> > Do not act as a referee or provide editorial assistance
> > Encourage staff and colleagues to do the same
> > Advocate that libraries cancel such journals
> >
> > This is my practice. I commend it to others.
> >
> > I might make exceptions for journals directed to a clientele in
> > economically deprived countries or published there.
>
> Although I agree with many of the sentiments expressed by Tony Barry
> and Chris Keenan about how and at what prices electronic versions of
> journals should be made available, are they not getting slightly out of
> touch with the nature of the duties of librarians to library patrons.
> If patrons need particular journals in their research or teaching and
> these journals are at the top of any prioritisation by them of their
> needs, surely a librarian should subscribe to these journals, subject
> to funding. If I was the person responsible for funding the library
> concerned, and cut off the funding because I did not like policies of
> the acquisition librarians, would that be more or less reasonable than
> Mr. Barry's statements?
There is no academic library which can afford to purchase all the
journals requested by the patrons; we decide on the basis of expected
use vs. price. It is reasonable to consider the ease in administering
the subscription as a part of the price side of the equation, and the
expected value of the electronic version as part of the use.
It also makes a difference if one is considering adding a subscription
for the electronic version and there already is a paper copy. In this
case I certainly take into major account the fairness and ease of the
electronic as well as its price.
-- David Goodman Biology Librarian, Princeton University Library dgoodman@princeton.edu http://www.princeton.edu/~biolib/ phone: 609-258-3235 fax: 609-258-2627
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