Print to electronic journal backfiles - FAQs
What is an electronic backfile?
Electronic backfiles are electronic collections of non-current journal issues. Some backfiles are provided as part of a current subscription whilst others are purchased separately eg. JSTOR backfiles can be owned or leased.
What print journals are being considered for archive or disposal?
The Library will assess all print journal issues for which the University has access to an equivalent electronic version which is owned in perpetuity by Deakin University.
Print journals being considered for archiving or disposal are assessed against the Guidelines for retaining print journal back issues when access is available to an electronic version . These guidelines ensure that print issues will be retained unless specific ownership, coverage, image quality, licensing and technical capability/support criteria are met.
What is JSTOR?
Journal titles in JSTOR are the first to be considered for possible archiving/disposal of the print issues. JSTOR is a commercial organisation that provides multidisciplinary and discipline-specific electronic backfile collections. JSTOR’s mission is to preserve scholarly literature published in electronic form and to ensure that this literature will remain accessible to future scholars, researchers, and students.
Journals in the JSTOR collection meet the criteria outlined in the Guidelines which if not met, would cause us to retain the print sets: they are the full online equivalent of the print journal, are owned in perpetuity by Deakin University Library, provide very robust access and are provided by a safe and reliable vendor.
JSTOR takes very seriously its commitment to preserving the digital copies of the content in the archive. To provide protection against loss, it has established redundant data centres, two in the U.S. and one in the U.K. Each one has at least one complete and fully functional copy of the entire archive. The image files are backed up on CD-ROM and on tape and mirror sites are used to provide effective and robust online access.
JSTOR has also undertaken to preserve full print sets of the journals it digitises.
More information about JSTOR is available from the JSTOR website.
Why doesn’t Deakin University Library still retain one full print set of these journals?
Where possible the Library will provide web-based access to journal back issues. Online backfiles provide substantial advantages in terms of flexibility of access, search capability and 24x7 availability for all students and academic staff, no matter where they are located. Research is showing that online backfiles increase readership of older issues of journals.
Electronic backfiles (that fit the established guidelines) are seen as more than adequate to meet the teaching and learning needs of the University without the need for print duplication.
Archival access to one full print set of backfile titles of scholarly/research importance is important but better achieved by storage within a centrally located, environmentally controlled centre that is established specifically to archive and preserve (such as the CARM centre) rather than within campus libraries.
Electronic backfiles are complete, and not subject to the loss or damage of issues.
Removal of print back issues allows valuable space within the campus libraries to be then used for future collection development, student workstations, discussion rooms and informal reading areas.
What is the CARM centre?
The CARM Centre is located at the CAVAL headquarters in Latrobe University grounds at Bundoora, Victoria. CAVAL (Cooperative Action by Victorian Academic Libraries) is owned jointly by the Vice-Chancellors of the Victorian universities (including Deakin) and the State Library of Victoria.
The CARM centre provides environmentally controlled archival and preservation storage for valuable archival and research material
Material located in the CARM centre is available for closed access use and interlibrary loans.
The CARM centre allows universities throughout Victoria to collaborate on archiving activities and centralise access to a wide range of research materials.
Which issues will be archived to CARM and which will be disposed of?
One set of scholarly journals of research importance will be located to the CARM centre.
Journal issues that duplicate issues already in CARM will not be sent to the Centre. Journal runs that are either patchy or short and that are held elsewhere in Australia may be disposed of rather than sent to CARM.
What assurance is there that the electronic backfile will continue to be available?
Online backfiles being considered for print archive are purchased through very reliable suppliers. Vendors like JSTOR are becoming specialised in archival activities and providing a worldwide centralised archiving service. The large publishing companies such as JSTOR and Elsevier are positioning themselves to provide very stable, ongoing access into the future.
The digitisation of material will facilitate its availability and access into the future even if a vendor should change or a product change hands.
Some discussion is starting in Australia about the need to provide a cooperative service owned by Australian libraries which would store owned electronic archives in Australia in the event of difficulties with the vendor.
Will online backfiles allow downloading, printing, use by remote students and use in course packs or DSO?
These issues are covered by the Guidelines. If backfiles do not meet the Guidelines, then the print titles will be retained.
If the collection is electronic only, will visitors and the wider community still have access to these journals?
Community users are able to access the CARM store, and acquire articles on interlibrary loan through their public library.
Visiting academic staff are often granted special status, and if this is the case will be able to access online back issues just as if they were Deakin University staff, where the license allows this.
What if technical difficulties prevent electronic access?
The electronic backfiles being targeted for archive are known for their technical stability.
Products purchased from vendors who cannot provide satisfactory technical support will not be considered for online replacement.
The Library treats all access problems as urgent and endeavours to re-establish access as quickly as possible.
ITSD provide the University with specialised technical support for electronic products.
