Duplicate runs of paper and microforms (summary) Molly Brennan 17 Apr 1997 21:29 UTC
As promised here is a summary of responses I received on my question to the list on duplicate runs of paper and microform. (Posted 4/2/97) I received 12 responses. I will list the question I asked, and give a summary of the responses. 1) Does your library maintain (and retain!) duplicate subscriptions? If so what is the rationale? 11 out of 12 responding libraries had some duplicate paper and microform titles. Most libraries discarded the paper after a certain time period and retained the microforms. The period retained differed from ten years of paper (the most) to discard when the micro arrives. (Other responses included keeping paper for five years, three years and one year.) One library sold their back issues, when withdrawn, to a back issues dealer. 2) If you have recently made a decision to cancel some titles did you cancel the print or the microform? Most libraries which responded to this question stated if they canceled one format they canceled the other. One library responded they "have opted to cancel some paper subscriptions and kept the microfiche editions, rarely finding that a problem." They used some of the cost savings (from canceling expensive paper titles) to order current issues they haven't received on micro yet through Carl Uncover. A few libraries have canceled paper subscriptions because of electronic access. Generally this was for non-core and/or low-use titles. 3) Obviously with the time lag involved with the receipt of microform most libraries would not be able to cancel the print subscription in favor of the microform. Was there some resistance in the library because in essence you are purchasing a title only to discard shortly after? No libraries indicated any resistance. 4) With the advent of full text electronic serials have some libraries canceled their corresponding print subscriptions deciding the students can access the current title online until the microform arrives in the library? There seems to be a great deal of interest in this but people (my library included!) are hesitant to take the first step and cancel paper in favor of electronic access. (Electronic access includes electronic journals available via the internet as well as full-text on CD-rom.) While a few libraries have canceled titles in paper because of the electronic availability other libraries expressed concerns about the substitution of full text databases for the paper. Concerns include: fear a publisher might suddenly cease making a title available electronically; the possibility of a sharp price increase for electronic full text journals, this which would effectively limit the library's access to the journals; costs associated with printing articles from electronic journals; and the financial viability of the electronic publishers. The committee I am chairing is still meeting and working on a report, which will be sent to the University Librarian and the Administrative Council in May. The comments I received through this posting were very helpful and will be included in our final report. My thanks to everyone who took the time to write. Molly Brennan Acquisitions/Serials Librarian McConnell Library Radford University brennan@runet.edu (540) 831-5692