Full-Text Aggregator Database Vendors and Journal Publishers: A Study of a Complex Relationship

Abstract

To acquire journal content rights for full-text aggregator databases, database vendors must enter into negotiations and sign contractual agreements with journal publishers. Through a survey, librarians at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs examined vendors and publishers relationships and the impact of those relationships on full-text journal content in aggregator services.     

Managing Perpetual Access

ABSTRACT

Libraries are committed to long-term access to the scholarly record in published journals. The transition from print to online format has presented numerous challenges for libraries. While many publishers provide some form of post-cancellation or perpetual access to subscribed journals, libraries sometimes find it difficult to ensure that access is available to users. Language regarding perpetual access can be vague in the license agreements libraries sign with publishers. Even when perpetual access is available, libraries may lack the staff, tools, or workflows needed to review and confirm access. Examples of how libraries have addressed these challenges are provided.     

Broken-Link Reports from SFX Users: How Publishers,Vendors and Libraries Can Do Better

Abstract

This study analyzes more than 400 SFX broken-link reports sent by users of an academic library. It raises technical issues regarding OpenURL linking in the handling of special journal volume and issue numbers, journal supplemental issues, embargo release dates, book reviews, DOIs, and other areas. It reports on full-text resources with the most broken links, causes of broken links, and the library's responses to users. It also explores how journal publishers, database vendors, and OpenURL vendors can improve the quality of their products and how librarians can better serve users.     

Web-Exclusive Articles in Traditionally Print Periodicals

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of Web-exclusive articles offered by traditionally print periodicals and provides examples of various types of periodicals with inconsistent contents between their Web and print editions. The author discusses citation issues that confuse users and librarians with inconsistencies and lack of standards in coverage of Web-exclusive articles in full-text databases and by publishers. These inconsistencies cause difficulties in retrieving, archiving, and OpenURL linking to Web-exclusive articles.     

“United we save,divided we spend”: Current purchasing trends in serials acquisitions in the UK academic sector

Abstract

CrossRef is an independent membership association for building shared technologies. It has an unusual mission: to improve access to published scholarship through services that require collective agreement among competitors in scholarly and professional publishing. The CrossRef network today covers millions of articles and other content items from several hundred publishers. This article looks at how far CrossRef has come since it launched in 2000 and what has to happen going forward in order for the service to arrive at a truly comprehensive linking network for scholarly and professional content online. Serial Review 2004; XX: XXX-XXX.     

An Interview with Sam Brooks

Abstract

Jeff Slagell interviewed Sam Brooks, the senior vice president of sales and marketing for EBSCO Information Services, in December 2001. In this interview, Brooks discusses the debate on embargoes and exclusivity agreements in full-text databases that took place last year on discussion lists and in numerous articles. He explains EBSCO's role in working with publishers and librarians in providing full-text database services. Brooks also describes his work with the eIFL Direct Project. Serials Review 2002; 28:142–150.     

The Standards Mantra

Abstract

The Essential Electronic Agricultural Library (TEEAL) and Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA) are programs that will provide low-income countries with access to agricultural journal literature that advances their agricultural research and education objectives. Developed by Cornell University’s Mann Library and launched in 1999, TEEAL is a self-contained agricultural research library with full-text articles and graphics of 140 major journals related to agriculture from 1993 through 2003, stored and indexed on over 400 CD-ROMs. In mid-2005, most of the collection also became available for use over local area networks. Launched in October 2003, AGORA is an Internet-based journal delivery system led by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with Mann Library as a principal partner. AGORA offers almost 800 journals from twenty-seven international publishers to 113 low-income countries and territories for free or a nominal fee.     

Leaning into Browser Extensions

abstract

An array of browser extensions has been developed to help researchers locate full-text content, whether that full text is available in an institutional repository, on a publishers site, or in an open access journal. Examples of such browser extensions include Unpaywall, Kopernio, EZproxy tools, and Lean Library. This Balance Point column focuses on the growth of browser extensions, the need they are filling, and their adoption by libraries. Particular attention is paid to the Lean Library browser extension and the services offered by Lean Library. Drawing on the literature and interviews with librarians in the field, the advantages and disadvantages of browser extensions are addressed, as well as security concerns.     

Rock is a Way of Life: The World of Rock ‘n’ Roll Fanzines and Fandom

Abstract

While advantages of electronic publications are obvious and far reaching, most electronic journals are still published also in print since libraries do not acquire electronic journals but only access them through licenses. Libraries with substantial electronic publications, however, no longer “compile” collections in a traditional sense. One consequence of electronic only access is that the permanent availability of information that implicitly used to be found in print collections is no longer guaranteed. Digital publishing dramatically alters both the roles of libraries and publishers in preserving records of science. This article discusses the contribution of national libraries, particularly the Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB; National Library of the Netherlands), to cooperate with publishers to secure the permanent archiving of electronic publications.     

1985 ALA Midwinter Reports

Abstract

As scholars have become more reliant upon electronic scholarly journals, the long-term preservation of these resources has become a growing and increasingly urgent need. In 2002, JSTOR launched a project which has now become Portico, a new, not-for-profit electronic archiving service established to address the scholarly community's critical need for a reliable means to preserve scholarly e-journals. Portico is focused on preserving the intellectual content of e-journals through source file normalization and format migration. To date, seven publishers have agreed to deposit more than 3,000 journals in the archive, which will be sustained by contributions from publishers and libraries.     

Looking at Journals from Both Sides

Abstract

The author, a professor in the field of communication, describes his contrasting experiences with publishing an open access society journal and advising a regional association in regards to turning over publication of its journal to a major commercial publishing firm. Using his experience of producing an open access journal as a foundation, he argues for the intrinsic importance of establishing credibility and exercising personal care in the production and maintenance of a journal. The author argues that current efforts by some societies to increase access to their journals through outsourcing to commercial publishers may be counterproductive to the fundamental goal of disseminating knowledge.     

Preserving Open Access

Abstract

Libraries have an established track record of preserving the scholarly record, but this stewardship role has generally been exercised over materials the library has purchased or otherwise acquired. With open access publishing, the library’s role in preservation is less certain, as libraries may facilitate access to a wide array of freely accessible materials without ever obtaining any copies. Additionally, the open access landscape includes many small noncommercial publishers with limited resources that may not be able to invest in long term preservation and access. In this column, Courtney McAllister, Electronic Resources Librarian at Lillian Goldman Law Library, Yale University, discusses preservation concerns and strategies for open access publications and how libraries may be affected by unstable or unpredictable long-term access.     

Reports of Conferences,Institutes, and Seminars

Abstract

This column covers sessions from the 2018 Charleston Library Conference, an informal annual gathering of librarians, publishers, electronic resource managers, consultants, and vendors of library materials in Charleston, South Carolina, in November. Topics include the impact of open access and open research, assisting faculty with locating and integrating these resources into their courses through partnerships and open applications, and managing gifts and donations with restricted resources.     

Small Press Billboard

Abstract

We have one report this issue which is, not surprisingly, on the topic of electronic serials. This institute, which reached full capacity, covered both theoretical and practical considerations for dealing with the influx of electronic serials. Many of us are barely coping with the need to plan and implement access to the vast amount of electronic information publishers have now mounted. We are faced with many new decisions about cataloging, vendor selection, license agreements, and consortial arrangements. The institute was planned as a basic course on electronic serials and addressed many of these topics froma wide range of viewpoints. Due to the popularity and success of this institute it will be repeated in April, 1998, in St. Louis.     

Open Dialog: SciELO’s Approach to Open Access Publishing

Abstract

For over 20 years, Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) has been engaged in an ambitious program of open access journal publishing. In Brazil and 15 other countries, society journals and other publications rely on SciELO for online publishing infrastructure and a platform that gives visibility to a global audience. SciELO’s network of national level collections has expanded to 16 countries and provides an alternative model to approaches centered around commercial publishers or new open access journals.