Call by ScienceWeek for free subs of science journals to developingcountries

[Ann Okerson <ann.okerson@yale.edu>]

Lloyd Davidson of Northwestern Uniersiyt sends the following message:

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Date: Wed, 01 Nov 2000 12:54:23 -0600
To: <liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu>
From: Lloyd Davidson <Ldavids@northwestern.edu>
Subject: A call by ScienceWeek for free subs of science journals to
  developing countries

A note from Science Week, one of my favorite publications.  At $20/year
this is a very worthwhile publication to support.

Lloyd
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If you would like to participate in the request outlined below, please
forward this letter to others, and especially to any editors of scientific
journals with whom you may have contact. Much thanks for your help.

A Call to Scientific Journals to Assist Developing Countries

One of the important barriers slowing advances in developing countries
around the world is difficulty of access to scientific information for use
in research and education. This is a call upon all science journals with
online editions to join in an effort to increase the dissemination of
scientific information and improve science education in the developing
world. Although many scientific societies do engage in international
efforts to improve science education and disseminate information, there is
no substitute for access to scientific journals, and making the electronic
editions of such journals available free to residents in developing
countries can provide a substantial contribution to the future health and
prosperity of these nations.

An immediately realizable policy is to offer free online subscriptions to
residents of developing countries. For an example of such a policy already
in action via the online journal ScienceWeek, and a working definition of
"developing country", see http://www.scienceweek.com/freesub.htm

A policy identical or similar to the above can easily be instituted by any
online journal, and the consequence will be a significant improvement in
the access of working scientists and science educators in developing
countries to scientific information. Such free access will surely benefit
developing countries, the international science community, and the entire
world.

If you would like to participate in this effort, we urge you to forward
this letter to the members of your particular professional community.

Dan Agin
Editor/Publisher
ScienceWeek
dpa@scienceweek.com
http://www.scienceweek.com

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Lloyd A. Davidson, Ph. D.
Life Sciences Bibliographer and Head, Access Services	
Northwestern University
Seeley G. Mudd Library for Science and Engineering
2233 N. Campus Drive
Evanston, IL  60208
LDavids@northwestern.edu  847-491-2906   847-556-0436 (fax)