Moving to e-Only, Singly and as a Group

Abstract

This proposal is for a panel of three speakers to discuss various aspects and implications for converting to e-only journal access. The panel speakers, Bill Kara (Head, E-Resources & Serials Management at Cornell University), Linda Stewart (Life Sciences Bibliographer, Albert R. Mann Library, Cornell University) and Chris Cole (Associate Director of Technical Services, National Agricultural Library) discussed ?e-only? from different perspectives. First, Bill Kara discussed the technical services issues, including staffing, ordering, licensing and record keeping for the conversion of a large number journals in the Cornell University Library to e-only subscriptions. Cornell is currently in the second year of a project with a goal to convert 4,000 current journals to e-only access. Linda Stewart then spoke on Mann Library Collection Development?s approach to selecting journals for e-only access, including the criteria for retaining a journal in print and the impact and feedback the Library has received on its project. Chris Cole then looked at the larger issue of increasing e-only for the library community. His work at NAL to identify active print serial titles in agricultural collections, including identifying duplication and the holders of the last or archival copy. With many libraries actively reviewing their collections and the costs both for materials funding and library staffing and space to maintain print along with the electronic versions, this panel explored some of the major issues and concerns as this trend increasingly unfolds at many libraries.