We distribute passwords from Elsevier to faculty / departmental
administrative assistants on request.  We have targeted specific
departments, starting with Physics which had several very expensive
subscriptions which they said were important but which had low download
statistics. Passwords are given out with an orientation on their
appropriate use, for example we prefer that users who need an older
article which we own in paper ask for our copy to be scanned  rather
than buy it.  We use the opportunity to have a broader discussion about
scholarly communications.

    Some reference and Scholarly Resources (CollDev/ILL) employees also
have passwords to solve immediate patron problems -- these are not often
used.

   Our experience over the last two and half years is that users are
prudent and the library's cost in money and effort is reasonable.  We
feel this is a cost effective system and shows good faith by the library
at a time of yearly serials cuts.

Barbara Cox
Head, Scholarly Resources Division
5100B Marriott Library,  University of Utah www.lib.utah.edu
(801) 587-9167  Division (801) 581-8077    fax 801-585-7719
US mail: 295 S 1500 E, RM DOCK,
     Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-0860