Collection Development: Journal Access - Our Directions
During the past 5 years, the Mansfield Library has greatly increased access to journal literature, from around 4000 to over 20,000 journal title subscriptions. This has been accomplished primarily by the acquisition of large electronic journal packages and full text databases, often via consortial purchases with other academic libraries.
Increasingly, library users are choosing the electronic copy of a journal title over the print (Greenstein 2004; Jones 2003). The electronic versions are available online, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week, and can be accessed from offices and off-campus as well as from inside the Library. Mansfield Library data indicates that users appreciate this convenience; use of these electronic resources has increased dramatically.
Mansfield Library faculty and staff will continue to monitor the use of our growing journal collections, maintain current back files of our many hard copy titles, and continue to provide prompt document delivery of both those titles we own and those we do not own. If you have any questions about these resources, please contact your liaison librarian for assistance.
While remaining sensitive to the needs of different disciplines, the Mansfield Library will maintain the electronic subscription of journals and discontinue the print duplicate copies whenever there are cost advantages in doing so. Print copies of an electronic title may be maintained under certain conditions: journal content cannot be accurately reproduced by standard printing processes and/or electronic versions are not complete.
As in other academic libraries across North America, electronic journals are one of the fastest growing formats in our collections (Kyrillidou 2004). The Mansfield Library now maintains many electronic collections of strength, in a variety of subject areas. Researchers and librarians share concerns about the integrity of electronic archives, long-term access issues, and file migration. These issues are receiving worldwide attention, and library users can be assured that the Mansfield Library will continue to evaluate changes in delivery options (Maple, et al. 2003).
It is important for faculty to work with their liaison librarians in the review of the current journal title subscriptions. This continuous review is necessary to ensure the balance between monograph and serial expenditures, to provide for serial renewal, and to build strong collections in support of UM curricula and research.
Greenstein, Daniel. 2004. Research libraries' costs of doing business (and strategies for avoiding them). Educause Review 39(5):72-73.
Jones, Wayne (Ed). 2003. E-serials: publishers, libraries, users, and standards. 2nd ed. New York: Haworth Information Press.
Kyrillidou, Martha. 2004. “Serials trends reflected in the ARL statistics 2002-2003.” ARL, 234:14-15.
Maple, Amanda, et al. 2003. “Analysis of format duplication in an academic library collection.” Library Collections, Acquisitions, & Technical Services, 27(4):425-447.
Mansfield Library, Collection Development Group, 10/04