Subject: Re: Library Link discussion (fwd)
anthony.watkinson (anthony.watkinson@BTinternet.com)
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1999 16:46:52 -0000
Message-Id: <001f01be46f0$0dd65c00$8c5eac3e@default> From: "anthony.watkinson" <anthony.watkinson@BTinternet.com> To: <arl-ejournal@arl.org> Subject: Re: Library Link discussion (fwd) Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1999 16:46:52 -0000
On 23 Jan 1999, Tony Barry <tonyb@dynamite.com.au> wrote:
>
> On 22/1/99, Chris Keenan <ckeenan@mcb.co.uk> quoting comments from
> the current Library Link discussion wrote:
> >
> >"If a publisher is not prepared to allow for archival copying of
> > electronic journals ... avoid dealing with that publisher"
>
> I'd go further. If a journal is not made available under reasonable
> conditions electronically such as -
>
> No requirement to subscribe to the print version
> A subscription price for the electronic version lower
> than the print version
> Clear permission for fair dealing
> Access at the article level as an alternative to subscription
> The retention of electronic publishing rights by the author
>
> Then I would suggest -
>
> Do not submit papers to that journal
> Do not cite work written in that journal
> Do not act as a referee or provide editorial assistance
> Encourage staff and colleagues to do the same
> Advocate that libraries cancel such journals
>
> This is my practice. I commend it to others.
>
> I might make exceptions for journals directed to a clientele in
> economically deprived countries or published there.
Although I agree with many of the sentiments expressed by Tony Barry
and Chris Keenan about how and at what prices electronic versions of
journals should be made available, are they not getting slightly out of
touch with the nature of the duties of librarians to library patrons.
If patrons need particular journals in their research or teaching and
these journals are at the top of any prioritisation by them of their
needs, surely a librarian should subscribe to these journals, subject
to funding. If I was the person responsible for funding the library
concerned, and cut off the funding because I did not like policies of
the acquisition librarians, would that be more or less reasonable than
Mr. Barry's statements?
Anthony Watkinson
<anthony.watkinson@btinternet.com>
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