RE: One library or many?

["D Anderson" <dh-anderson@corhealth.com>]

Joe makes a good point. Centralized data repositories, with comprehensive
backup and archive capabilities, will likely replace library storage of
periodicals, thereby removing substantial layers of redundancy and
associated costs.

Electronic delivery eliminates the need for library-based archival and
retrieval functions. Open access will make the library's traditional
acquisition and gatekeeper functions unnecessary. What's left are
reference functions, which could be provided by virtual networks of
volunteer specialists.

Does anyone have any estimates of how much this would save the
average-size university?

Dean H. Anderson

-----Original Message-----
[mailto:owner-liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Joseph J. Esposito
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2004 2:19 PM
To: liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu
Subject: One library or many?

>To me, it seems obvious that the day when the world's scholarly,
>peer-reviewed literature can easily be stored by each and every library 
>in the world -- a wise move to ensure its ready access and preservation - 
>is within reach, if indeed it is not here already.

JE:  Why "stored by each and every library"?  If it's on the Internet, you
only need one library.  That's a huge savings for cash-strapped
universities.

Joe Esposito