New relationships in Scholarly Publ

New relationships in Scholarly Publishing
Paper presented at the UKOLN Conference: Networking and the future
of Libraries 2
Chris Rusbridge, Programme Director Electronic Libraries
Programme
Introduction
In this paper I survey some of the implications of the introduction of several electronic
journals as part of the FIGIT1 Electronic Libraries Programme (abbreviated as eLib). How do
these ventures fit into the aims of the Programme? What are the significant issues to be
resolved in electronic journals? What will electronic journals mean for the relationships
between authors, publishers, libraries and readers?
Electronic Libraries Programme
Programme aims
The aims of a complex Programme like eLib are difficult to summarise. However, the Follett
report on which the eLib Programme is based sought to address various of the crises affecting
British academic libraries. Since these crises (or at least, their symptoms) are exposed through
financial problems, perhaps one simplification is to express the aims broadly in financial
terms. Three possible aims might be:
• to reduce costs (to deliver the same amount of information for less)
• to contain costs (to deliver more information for the same cost which will help to cope
with the continually increasing pressure to publish)
• to provide better service and functionality, perhaps at slightly higher cost
In practice, history shows us that for IT programmes, whatever their promises, the latter is the
most likely positive outcome: a richer environment, with more facilities as well as higher
volumes, although perhaps at a higher cost.
Programme status
As this paper is written, perhaps half of the projects to be funded have been agreed. The
Programme has to dates been divided into 7 Programme Areas, which are:
1. Document Delivery (4 projects funded)
2. Electronic Journals (6 projects funded)

Hasil (Inggris) 2:

New relationships in scholarly Publishing
Paper presented at the UKOLN Conference: Networking and the future
of Libraries 2
Chris Rusbridge, Programme Director of the Electronic Libraries
Programme
Introduction
In this paper I survey some of the implications of the introduction of Several electronic
journals as part of the FIGIT1 Electronic libraries Programme (abbreviated as eLib). How do
Reviews These ventures fit into the aims of the Programme? What are the significant issues to be
resolved in electronic journals? What electronic journals will mean for the relationships
between authors, publishers, libraries and readers?
Electronic Libraries Programme
Programme aims
The aims of a complex Programme like eLib are difficult, to summarise. However, the Follett
report on the which the eLib Programme is based sought to address various of the crises affecting
British academic libraries. Since Reviews These crises (or at least, Reviews their symptoms) are exposed through
financial problems, perhaps one simplification is to express the aims broadly in financial
terms. Three possible aims MIGHT be:
• to reduce costs (to deliver the same amount of information for less)
• to Contain costs (to deliver more information for the same cost of the which will help to cope
with the continually increasing pressure to publish)
• to provide better service and functionality, perhaps at slightly higher cost
In practice, history shows us that for IT Programmes, whatever Reviews their promises, the latter is the
most likely positive outcome: a richer environment, with more facilities as well as higher
volumes, Although perhaps at a higher cost.
Programme status
As this paper is written, perhaps half of the projects to be funded have been Agreed. The
Programme has to Dates been divided into seven Programme Areas, the which are:
1. Document Delivery (4 projects funded)
2. Electronic Journals (6 projects funded)