E-Journals: advantages, disadvantages and criteria for

selection
December 7, 2000 - 11:34am — Blake
Azadeh Mirzadeh has written an excellent look at ePubs in the library:The Web, along with
electronic publishing, has changed accessibility of serials and periodicals. In the past, scholars
and researchers wrote their articles and published them in journals. Traditionally, library patrons
and researchers came to the library to read or to make copies of these articles. To some extent
publishers and vendors competed to receive orders from libraries. The Web and on-line
electronic publishing, however, have changed the way of accessing information for scholars and
researchers. With the emergence of the Web and electronic publishing, scholars and researchers
are able to publish articles on-line without going through a publisher or a vendor and users
can access information without going to the library. Technology has brought an easier way of
accessing information for librarians and researchers. Consequently, it has become very important
issue for libraries regarding how and when to replace printed journals with electronic ones.
One way that information has become accessible on the Internet is through electronic journals.
The number of journals, magazines and newspapers that are available online has been grown
rapidly in recent years. Tenopir (1999 p.138) reported " the number of titles in the ARL
Directory has grown from only 26 in 1991 to nearly 2500 in 1997. The number of listings in full
text sources on-line has grown from 4400 in 1993 to about 8900 as of May 1999."
In the another report regarding how quickly electronic journals are growing Aschroht (1999, p.
107) noted that " in the 18 months from September 1997 to March 1999 the number of electronic
journals available increased by more than fifty percent... Not all these journals are scholarly in
nature, but an increase can be seen across all genres."
Background
Electronic Journals has been defined in different ways. The most common definition states, " a
journal that is provided by any electronic means, e.g. Internet or CD-ROM, although not
necessarily exclusive by electronic means." (Ashcroft, 1999 p.105) These journals are generally
accessible through electronic communication devices or telephone lines. The same definitions
can be used for electronic newsletters and periodicals in electronic format.
Electronic journals can be produced in different formats, such as a CD-ROM, which was the first
step towards electronic publishing. Late 1988 and early 1990 various journals were published on
CD-ROM mostly because of increased storage capacity. The first step in the process was the
conversion of the journal from paper to electronic format, and then indexing, and the creation of
bibliographic citations and abstracts. The significant advantage for CD-ROM was storage
capacity. There were problems with publishing journals on CD-ROM such as: updating
information, distribution, packing, and mailing. In addition, there was the high cost and lengthy
time to develop, support, and continue to enhance proprietary software used to access the
electronic journal. The other issue was that each journal had different editions with different
interfaces and different ways of browsing, retrieving and displaying documents. Consequently,
one of the reasons that a library would withdraw from the migration from paper to electronic
journal was the lack of interface uniformity (Barnes, 1997).
Electronic journals that existed before the Web were the ones that relied on dial-up services and
proprietary networks. The drawback for this kind of journal is the lack of photographs, tables,
charts and back file. At the beginning, maintenance costs and proprietary interface were major
problems for libraries, but in recent years most libraries have been able to solve these problems.
This kind of journal, however, could not replace the printed format.
However, there are now forms of electronic journals that have all of the print version features
and can therefore replace print. These journals are available through the vendor sites or directly
from the publisher\'s sites and most of them are in Acrobat format. The electronic version
duplicates the print version. . The latest formats are the journals that do not have any print
version and are published electronically. Specifically, in the academic and research libraries, the
numbers of this type of journal is growing fast.
Advantages
In summary there are four advantages for electronic documents: first, some documents are more
useful in electronic form due to enhanced search ability, e.g. in allowing statistical calculations
to be affected. Second, electronic format is sometimes the only alternative so it represents a net
increase in the information base. Third, since the volume of printed materials are increasing at
great speed and libraries can only offer a small part of it, it is important to provide electronic
formats. The fourth advantage is economy of storage: the increase in cost for keeping printed
material makes electronic forms more attractive from an economic viewpoint.
Another benefit of electronic journals is availability for readers. Patrons can view journals when
the library is not open if they have access to a network terminal. Also, invoicing and claiming
will be on-line so, therefore, librarians will be having more time to improve their on-line skills
and train users. It, also, offers speed of delivery, eliminates printing, and saves money in terms of
postage costs for libraries.
Disadvantages
Archiving and site licenses are the two major issues that most libraries have identified. Most of
the electronic journals are not archived, therefore, libraries should be very careful about
canceling printed subscriptions. Archiving becomes a critical issue for particular types of
products, such as electronic journals and full-text databases. Also, libraries have learned
that both storing large files of data and maintaining access to them have additional costs in terms
of staff, time, and other resources. Libraries are often hesitant to rely on electronic copies of
titles for fear that archival access will not be maintained. (Davis, 1997)
The lack of peer review of materials and slowness of the Internet and power outrages are other
disadvantages of electronic journals. Reading a large amount of data on the screen also can be
verydifficult and can cause health problems such as back pain or vision problems.
One of the most important issues is the lack of accessibly to electronic journals for those who do
not have access to the Internet or any other kind of electronic service. It is important that such
electronic information be made available to those without such access.
If we put the advantages and disadvantageous of the electronic journals on one scale, certainly,
there are more advantages. The most important advantages include space saving, powerful
searching tools, immediate access and increased speed of communication. Also, there can be
immediate access from one\'s own desk as well as facilities such as integrated text, hypertext
links and multimedia, which printed journals cannot offer.
Criteria for selecting electronic journals The electronic journals are usually like web sites that are
arranged and updated much like printed magazines. They are Web-based and contain articles or
other pieces of information on a certain topic. The journal can originate for Internet usage only
without a paper version and can be created by any source including universities, organizations,
individuals, or other suppliers of information. Wherever these journals originate, they must be
looked at with a critical eye and evaluated like any other library resource. The topics that are
covered in these journals are mostly scientific, technical, medical and scholarly by nature.
In a time of budget crisis in libraries, the rising cost of print subscriptions makes it important for
libraries, specifically for academic libraries and librarians, to understand the direction and
significance of the digital information revolution. Some libraries are very much aware and others
are less aware of these new directions.
On the other hand, librarians should be very cautious about replacing and canceling printed
journals with the new electronic journals. More specifically, some materials should be purchased
only in printed format while others only in digital form and still others should be purchased in
both formats in order to have a balanced collection. According to Katz, "the best criteria for
evaluating a source are purpose, authority, and scope." (1992, p. 23). It is also important in
evaluation of electronic journals to consider format, currency and audience. The wide
diversity of materials such as: print, audiovisual, CD-ROM, electronic journals, network
databases, and multimedia products are continuously growing. Most libraries are increasing their
electronic resources in response to user demand. Consequently, librarians must continually be
educated in increasing their skills on automated systems and electronic resources.
Electronic journals are available from several major publishers that are commercial and non-
commercial. Therefore, journals are available electronically in different formats and versions. It
is important to review these different formats before making a final decision. Some publishers
permit free access to libraries on their Web sites for a short period of time. Therefore, it is
important to review different sites and compare the contents, format and cost of print with the
electronic version. It is also important to examine the statistical usage during the past two or
three years before canceling any paper issues.
In addition, license and copyright laws are two major issues, which should be considered for
subscriptions to electronic journals. Traditional selection policies and procedures could not
continue with the fast growth of electronic resources such as electronic journals, network and
database products. Libraries should seriously consider these changes before selection of
electronic journals and any other electronic publications. As Davis (1997, p.13) stressed, "most
libraries have introduced electronic information sources in a piecemeal fashion, mostly in
response to user demand. Selectors must increase their knowledge of automated systems and
electronic products, and their skills in understanding and negotiating license agreements."
Library patrons, specifically in academic libraries, prefer the electronic version to the printed
version and most often patrons do not bother to check the printed journal. It has been shown
that when the full text versions of journals were available electronically patrons would prefer that
version.
License and copyright agreements are legal matters that should be considered by libraries when
they subscribe to electronic journals. These agreements must be fair and practical for both
the publisher and library.
Pricing is another important issue that should be considered for e-journal subscriptions. Usually,
each publisher has its own policy. The most common is the one in which the publisher allows
free access for a few months, or up to a year, to all of their e-journals. Converting the journal to
electronic format is costly for publishers. Therefore, the publishers must raise their price for
the printed subscriptions in order to cover the cost of more updated technology. The other option
that publishers offers to libraries is one in which they continue the print subscriptions
and receive ten to thirty percent discounts for the electronic versions. Most articles in e-journals,
when written in HTML have many advantages, which allow easy linkages within the article.
There is easy incorporation of graphs, tables, photographs and images, including video and
sound. Some publishers use the Adobe Acrobat PDF format instead of or in addition to HTML.
Acrobat viewing software is freely available and can be downloaded but this can act as another
barrier to usage by those who are not completely computer literate. Therefore, it is most helpful
if the Acrobat is mounted on a network basis.
Electronic journals are available in different ways. They are available directly from the
publisher\'s site and they have complete control over changes and pricing. The other way is that
they are available through aggregators. Some publishers offer their electronic journals through an
intermediary service, which aggregates the titles from many different publishers under one
system or interface. In this way, publishers do not have to create or maintain their own separate
system.
Making student and faculty aware of electronic journals can accomplished in different ways.
Cataloging is one way to show the public what is accessible and available in the library computer
database collection. But some libraries are not cataloging their e-journals because such journals
are not physically present in the library collection. Another way to inform the public about e-
journals is to give details directly on the library\'s web site through an e-journal\'s section,
preferably listing individual journals.
The most important issue is that electronic journals require promotion in the same way as any
other new information service. Documentation, training, publicity and usage demonstrations are
all necessary to encourage usage and to distribute information. Electronic journals should
provide benefits to everyone.
Electronic publishing creates an exciting time for libraries and librarians. No doubt, most
journals will be available electronically in the future. Libraries and the information provider
should be prepared to help their patrons with this transition from print to electronic journals.
With the Web, electronic journals and other electronic resource libraries will continue their role
as the information provider and will provide a collection that is easily accessible and relevant.
Since new products become available every day and publishers are adding new features and new
titles on a constant basis, it is impossible for librarians and libraries to have complete information
about the new product. Some of the major electronic journal publishers are: Academic Press
IDEAL (International Digital Electronic Access Library)
<http:\\www.apnet.com>
Blackwell\'s Electronic Journal Navigator.
<http:\\navigator.blackwell.co.uk/>
Dialog@CARL <http: Dialog.CARL.org>
EBSCO <.http://www.EBSCO.com>
Lexis/Nexis. <http:\\www.lexis-nexis.com>
OCLC<http:www.OCLC.org/OCLC/menu/eco.html>
Project Muse/ Johns Hopkins University Press <http:\\museljhu.edu>
UMI (University Microfilm International) <http:\\www.UMI.com>
Each publisher offers different features such as the number of
titles, access point, price and availability of the service.
Conclusion:
In recent years the function and definition of librarianship has
changed. The library was the place that collected, organized and
provided access to information. The electronic resources have
changed this definition because they affected the collecting and
organizing aspect of librarianship. All of the materials that
exist in the library are no longer in physical format. Decision
making for selection and purchasing of electronic journal has
also been changed. Furthermore, in addition rather than the
serial librarians, making decisions for the selection and
purchasing of new electronic journals, the Director of Learning
Resources or the Systems Librarian may also do so.
There is no doubt that serials and periodicals are important
parts of any library\'s collection. Therefore, the serial
librarian\'s job will remain as important as in the past. Indeed
the task of purchasing, licensing, and providing access to
serials is an activity that could provide full employment for
librarians for years to come. In recent years, however, serial
librarians are performing multiple tasks and wearing different
hats. This is due to changes in the reorganization and
restructuring of the serial librarian\'s job in many libraries.
Such as increasing prices, declining acquisitions, budget crises,
early retirement and downsizing of the workforce. Of course not
all of the changes are bad. Reassigning, or reorganizing and
learning new skills may be interesting for serial librarians.
Many serial librarians in recent years are considered leaders in
the field of electronic licensing and in working with vendors to
implement electronic journals. Serial librarians should exhibit
to library administrators their expertise, flexibility and
knowledge.
Electronic publishing resources are continuously growing and the
librarian\'s job will become more challenging and rewarding. It
will certainly create a new future with increasing opportunities
for serial librarians.
References:
Ashcroft, Linda and Langdon, Colin. "Electronic journals and
university library collections" Collection Building. v.18,
no.3, 1993(pp.105-113).
Barnes, john H. "One giant leap, one small step: continuing
the migration to electronic journals." Library Trends. v.45,
no.3, winter 1997 (pp.404-415).
Davis, Trisha. "The evaluation of selection activities for
electronic resources." Library Trends. v.45, no. 3, winter
1997 (pp.391- 404).
Heller, Dennis. "Evaluation of electronic Journals related
to the Inherent". Reference Librarian. no.58, 1997 (pp.121-1333).
Katz, A. William. Introduction to Reference Work. Vol.1 : Basic
Information Sources. 6th ed. , New York: McGraw-Hill, 1992.
Kidd, Tony. "Electronic Journals management: some problems
& solutions." Managing Information. Dec. 1997 (pp.25-31).
Ketcham-Van Orsdel, Lee; Born, Kath;een. "E-journals come of
age." Library Journal. v.123, no.7, April 1998(pp.40-46).
Machovec, George. " Electronic Journal Market Overview-1997"
Retrieved February 2,2000 from the World Wide Web
http://www.coalliance.org/reports/ejournal.html.
Schutz, Deidre. "Electronic shocks: the impact of electronic
document delivery and full text databases: implications and
outcomes for serials" LASIE, Sept. 1996 (p.5-20)
Sweeney, L. "The future of academic journals: consider the
current situation in academic libraries" New Library World
98 v. 1132, 1997 (pp.4-15).
Tenopir, Carol. "The complexities of electronic journals."
Library Journal. v.122, no. 2, Feb. 1997 (pp.37- 39).
Tenopir, Carol. " Should we cancel print?" Library
Journal. v.124, Sept. 1999,P (pp. 138).

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