Re: Difference between database and electronic serial Chad Hutchens 01 Oct 2008 15:32 UTC
Charles hit the nail right on the head...there is a very fine (and often blurry) line between all these resources. If one really wanted to look at these things from a purely technical point of view, the argument could be that almost all of our e-journals are databases, since the vast majority of them are run by databases on the back-end. It's all a matter of perspective. And now we can add even more confusion to this mess by lumping in e-book collections that are annual subscriptions, can be searched just like an A&I databases, have a lot in common with both aggregators and packages, and that also have titles being added to the collections on a regular basis :) I think we're seeing that there's no silver bullet and that we need to be flexible in how we deal with these things. I know here, our budget is tied to historical decisions made long ago that are almost impossible to change. Makes for interesting budget meetings. -- Chad Hutchens Electronic Resources Librarian University of Wyoming Libraries Dept 3334, 1000 E University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071-20000 Ph: (307) 766-5560 > From: Charles McElroy <cnmcelroy@FSU.EDU> > Reply-To: "SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum" > <SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU> > Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 10:53:14 -0400 > To: "SERIALST: Serials in Libraries Discussion Forum" <SERIALST@LIST.UVM.EDU> > Subject: Re: [SERIALST] Difference between database and electronic serial > > Obviously, sometimes it seems to be a fine line with this definition but > I generally view a database as a compilation of information from > different sources whereas an electronic journal title is just that, a > specific journal title in electronic format that can be classified by a > subject area. > > We separate these formats in our payment model by using a database > budget code, a general electronic journal budget code (used mostly with > packages, which are multi-disciplinary), and subject specific electronic > journal budget codes in addition to subject specific print journal > budget codes. This helps with generating reports to see what is being > spent in different subject areas even though it does take a little more > budgetary management. > > Charles > > > Charles McElroy > Serials Acquisitions Librarian > Florida State University Libraries > 711 West Madison Street > P.O. Box 3061005 > Tallahassee, FL 32306-1005 > > Phone: 850-645-7911 > Fax: 850-644-5671 > E-mail: cnmcelroy@fsu.edu > > > > Angelica Freitas wrote: >> Hello Serials people!!! >> >> I have a question! >> We all know that eventually most of our print collection will convert into >> electronic format. >> Here at our library we have a budget line for "database" and another for >> "serials" (any format, including electronic). >> Due to budget constraints, some of my colleagues have decided to "pay" for >> some of their databases from the serials budget. I am a bit confused by all >> of this and I would like to know if anyone out there knows the difference >> between a database and electronic journal??? >> >> Sorry if I sound confusing >> >> Angelica Freitas >> Serials Administrator >> Sarah Lawrence College Library >> One Meadway >> Bronxville, NY >> 10708 >> TEL: 914-395-2477 >> FAX: 914-395-2473 >> EMAIL: afreitas@slc.edu >>