Developing and Managing Electronic Journal Collections
Donnelyn Curtis, Virginia M. Scheschy, Adolfo R. Tarango
A Review
Acquiring electronic journals provides some thorny problems for library
staff in all functional departments. They defy almost all of the usual
criteria by which we manage and collect library material. Libraries
embrace these products of new technologies even though they might not have
a thorough grasp of the material itself and are not always sure about the
steps needed to make it available to users, or maintain it over time.
Fortunately, this manual can help demystify the jargon and provide both
novices and experts with solid information about developing and managing
collections of electronic journals. Each chapter contains an overview of
its contents, addresses current issues of the topic, and discusses
practical solutions to problems. In addition, each chapter has its own
bibliographical referencesprint and online. Topics include definitions of
electronic journals, new library organizational needs, selection processes
and criteria, technical requirements, archiving, pricing, legal concerns,
changes in staff workflow, bibliographic access, promotion of and user
services for electronic journals, and issues and technologies under
discussion that may affect the future of this new journal format. A handy glossary of terms, sample collection policies, how
to compare database source lists, how to create a full-text master list,
and how an electronic journal spreadsheet can help maintain a central
journal list are included in the appendices. The index provides good
access to the text, and illustrations supplement the text when
appropriate. With this manual, the authors have given readers thorough,
practical and organized information about collecting and managing
electronic journals. It is an essential resource that can be used across
library departments to ensure that staff will understand and work
effectively with the inevitable changes that electronic journal
collections can bring.
Published in 2000 by: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., New York. (xv, 267
p.) A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians; no. 102. ISBN 1-55570-383-6 (alk. paper)
Reviewed by Iris Wolley
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
Last updated: April 8, 2003
http://www.olacinc.org/reviews/curtis.html
neumeist@buffalo.edu