RE: Haworth E-Journal Improvements

["Peter Picerno" <ppicerno@choctaw.astate.edu>]

Yeah, well, now if they could only improve their print versions (of
Collection Management!)

I and others in the past year have posted some criticisms of the Haworth
Press policy on access to E-journals. I am pleased to report that the
problematic aspects have been much improved, and, with the permission of
the author, I enclose a message describing their new policy.

It is particularly helpful that we will now be able to distribute their
titles among the many librarians here who want to read them as e-journals
rather than using the cumbersome, very slow, and now obsolete method of
routing printed copies. Thus we will be able to make use of the research
and information published there to improve our own work on a much more
current basis.

_______________

> Dear Librarians:
>
> Your names were passed on to us as taking part in a recent discussion
> regarding Haworth's proposed policy for electronic journal access.
>
> First, we would like to point out that this information (from 1998) was
> inadvertently posted on our web site and was never implemented.
>
> While we do plan on launching our first electronic version with a limited
> number of 31 titles for the Fall 2000 and Spring 2001 volumes, the
> electronic versions are going to be made available to all print copy
> subscribers at no additional charge.  At this time we plan on allowing
> access to any authorized user of the subscribing library's system, with
> no
> limitation to the number of IP addresses required by the library to
> maintain their network.
>
> We have survey a number of our library subscribers and have also
> interviewed several of our personal librarian friends throughout the
> country.  We do not pretend to have all of the answers necessary to build
> a
> system and policy that is perfect for all evolved.  But our intent is to
> listen to what our customers need and want and then try to develop a
> program that allows end-uses the greatest opportunity to utilize the
> information available.
>
> Thank you for taking the time to consider our position.  Your additional
> input is appreciated.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Roger Hall
> Sr. Vice President
> The Haworth Press, Inc.