Re: If electronic is to replace paper

[David Goodman <dgoodman@princeton.edu>]

I think the proposed role for national libraries is a very good
possiblility, and suggest that the need for diversity would most naturally
accomplished if each of the major national libraries did archiving, and,
preferably, did it differently.

David Goodman
Biology Librarian, and
Co-Chair, Electronic Journals Task Force
Princeton University Library
dgoodman@princeton.edu         http://www.princeton.edu/~biolib/
phone: 609-258-3235            fax: 609-258-2627

__________________________________

Sally Morris wrote:
> 
> Recent postings about archiving, and who is responsible, make me
> increasingly aware that we tend to confuse 2 very different things when we
> use the term 'archiving':
> 
> 1)  long-term (no-one dares say 'permanent' any more!) preservation
> 
> 2)  continued access, to material previously paid for, after the cessation
> of the licence
> 
> Perhaps we should forswear the use of the term 'archiving' altogether, to
> avoid this confusion!
> 
> Preservation is both difficult and expensive.  It therefore makes no
> economic sense for libraries to undertake it individually.  Personally, I
> don't think it's appropriate for publishers to do it either, since they
> are (naturally) driven by commercial imperatives and therefore have little
> incentive to maintain material which no longer has commercially
> significant value.  Large and 'permanent' institutions, such as
> national/deposit libraries, therefore seem a better bet (though someone
> still has to cover the considerable costs!);  some redundancy (at least 2
> copies, preferably more, preserved in different ways) also seems prudent.
> 
> Contined access is a matter of licensing.  It certainly seems to be the
> preferred journal licensing model for most libraries, although it is not
> typical of other content licences.  Many publishers (cf the various model
> licences in circulation - there's a listing on the 'Resources' page at
> www.alpsp.org.uk) are accommodating this preference.
> 
> Sally
> 
> Sally Morris, Secretary-General
> Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers
> South House, The Street, Clapham, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 3UU, UK
> 
> Phone:  01903 871686 Fax:  01903 871457 E-mail:  sec-gen@alpsp.org.uk
> ALPSP Website  http://www.alpsp.org.uk