Joshua Clarke, Global Electronic Collection Trends in Academic Libraries, The PCG Vantage, Issue 4, 2004 (no deep link, scroll to the second article). Excerpt: 'Based on a survey developed by Publishers Communication Group (PCG), the following is an extract from a report that is intended to be the first in an annual series titled Global Electronic Collection Trends in Academic Libraries....Key findings include: [1] 84% of respondents reported that their institution had cancelled print subscriptions when the content was available electronically. [2] The leading factor influencing the collection of electronic resources is library policy, followed closely by the preference of faculty members and of students. [3] The majority of respondents (67%) indicated that their institution catalogs or indexes peer-reviewed Open Access journals. [4] Only 9% of respondents' institutions have cancelled a subscription when comparable content was available through an Open Access publication.....It is perhaps no surprise that Open Access publications were a hot topic for many librarians contacted with 66% indicating that their institutional catalogues or indexes peer-reviewed Open Access journals on a regular basis. In many cases, Open Access journals are managed just as traditional subscriptions are handled, entered directly into the library catalogue.....Librarians were asked if the availability of peer-reviewed Open Access journals influenced the decision process for the acquisition of subscription journals and paid electronic content. 57% of those who responded reported that the availability of Open Access journals did not influence collection habits....Although the majority of those responding to questions about Open Access journals reported that they have not had a significant impact on the collection habits of the library, many also indicated that some changes had been made to recognize their availability. Specifically, 9% explained that they have replaced subscriptions to journals with a peer-reviewed Open Access journal of equal quality when available. However, the majority of respondents (60%) preferred to supplement their collection with links to peer-reviewed Open Access journals.' (Thanks to Linda Watson.)
Posted by
Peter Suber at 1/25/2005 01:14:00 PM.
The open access movement:
Putting peer-reviewed scientific and scholarly literature
on the internet. Making it available free of charge and
free of most copyright and licensing restrictions.
Removing the barriers to serious research.
