Moving to Electronic Journals - FAQs
Rationale
Why are we moving towards more electronic journals? | Will it be possible to
subscribe to the print journal as well as have access to the online journal?
Content
Are online journals equivalent to the print? | What
assurance is there that articles will continue to be available? | Can
you browse electronic journals? | What about embargoes of
current electronic journal issues? | Are backfiles
available electronically?
Access
What guarantee is there that online journals will be available
and accessible in 5yrs, 10yrs or 20 yrs time? | What happens
if the library cancels its subscription to a current journal? | What
happens if the company changes? | If the collection is electronic
only, will visitors and the wider community still have access to these journals? | Is
the access to electronic journals dependent upon the subscription to the print
version? | Electronic journals
on a number of different platforms are confusing – will
this improve in the future? | Will the online journals allow
downloading and printing? | Will the online journals allow
access by remote students? | Will
the online journals allow the use of journal articles in coursepacks or on
DSO? | What if technical difficulties prevent electronic
access? | My favourite journal is no longer on the shelf. How do I find
it?
Rationale
Why are we moving towards more electronic journals?
Electronic information resources support the University’s strategic initiatives relating to online teaching and learning. They also provide a number of advantages for staff, students and researchers including:
- 24X7 access for all users
- Direct access for remote library users
- More than one user can access an issue at the one time
- More options for searching
- Ability to link within course materials
- Allows desktop access, downloading or printing
- Unmediated access – no need to come to the library, borrow or obtain interlibrary loans
- Issues are instantly available, not away being bound or awaiting shelving
- Journal issues cannot go missing and will not need to be replaced
Will it be possible to subscribe to the print journal as well as have access to the online journal?
- Not all online journals are being targeted for print cancellation. Guidelines regarding acceptable online content and access have been developed to assist decision making. Print subscriptions will still continue for journals that are not available, are unstable online or whose online content or access does not meet teaching, learning or research needs.
- The retention of subscriptions to equivalent print and online resources is not sustainable in the long term, because of the resources required to maintain both simultaneously, including subscription costs and the staff costs to process and maintain them.
- Publishers are also now changing their pricing models to reflect the move by many institutions to electronic only access and the original discounts for retaining print are fast disappearing.
- An example of the increasing costs is shown by one current popular title held in print on 3 campuses and also held online. There is no discount for multiple print subscriptions, and no discount for having online and print. As well, staff have to receive, claim, process, bind, shelve and replace missing issues for all three print subscriptions as well as establish and maintain access and check and negotiate licenses for the online version. This reduces the resources available to maintain and improve the collection and library services.
Content
Are online journals equivalent to the print?
Online journals can vary in content. The online journals being considered for print cancellation are online equivalents of the print, not just abstracts or enhanced indexes. The online journal must provide all the important content for teaching, learning and research before its print equivalent is considered for cancellation.
What assurance is there that articles will continue to be available?
Online journals are usually offered through a variety of reliable suppliers. The Library prefers to purchase publisher packages that offer the full online journal equivalent and are technically stable. It is only these titles that are being considered for the cancellation of the print equivalent.
Can you browse electronic journals?
New developments continue to be implemented to assist browsing. Some publishers are experimenting with additional features which enhance browsing such as news summaries, video links, daily news updates, links to other related information, e alerts and improved searching capabilities. It is also anticipated that the next generation of students will have better abilities at online reading and online browsing, having grown up using these skills.
What about embargoes of current electronic journal issues?
The Library will not replace print journals with the online version if an embargo will adversely affect teaching, learning or research.
Are backfiles available electronically?
Backfiles are increasingly being offered by publishers and vendors. The Library has recently purchased a number of backfiles including ScienceDirect and JSTOR. The intention is to purchase additional backfiles as they become available. Backfiles are normally owned by Deakin after purchase so ongoing access is guaranteed.
Access
What guarantee is there that online journals will be available and accessible
in 5yrs, 10yrs or 20 yrs time?
- Long term access and archiving are an important consideration for libraries. The digitisation of material will facilitate its availability and access into the future. Publishers and vendors are increasingly involved in providing archival access.
- Many large publishers such as Elsevier provide extensive access to journals through their own online service such as ScienceDirect. Access to these journals includes the ability to purchase extensive backfiles plus ownership of content purchased during the subscription period. The large publishing companies are positioning themselves to provide very stable, ongoing access into the future.
- There is a risk that some small publisher content may be lost if the publication ceases and content ownership was not provided during the subscription period.
What happens if the library cancels its subscription to a current journal?
- In many cases, ownership to the content purchased in the subscription period will still be retained. The increasing use of packages by publishers and vendors means it is usually possible to acquire access via a different supplier.
- Some journals may not be available after the subscription ends. Cancellation decisions relating to electronic journals may need to take into account the continued relevance of the content to the teaching, learning or research needs of the University, the ownership of subscription content and the possible alternative availability of the content from other vendors.
What happens if the company changes?
Journals regularly change publisher or vendor. This is not anticipated to be a problem as subscriptions should still be readily available from a different supplier.
If the collection is electronic only, will visitors and the wider community still have access to these journals?
Due to technological issues we are unable to provide access to visitors and the wider community.
Is the access to electronic journals dependent upon the subscription to the print version?
- Some electronic access is still dependent upon a print subscription – but, as the demand for electronic only access increases, this purchasing model is expected to become redundant.
- Some electronic package costs are determined by the current amounts spent on print. Discounts for retaining print are now far less common.
- Each electronic journal acquisition will be examined carefully to find the best purchasing model to suit Deakin’s requirements.
Electronic journals on a number of different platforms are confusing – will this improve in the future?
As electronic journals are provided by different publishers or vendors there will always be different platforms but most are becoming more user friendly and intuitive. The Library is working on improving searching across platforms to make access as seamless and easy as possible.
Will the online journals allow downloading and printing?
If the license to the electronic product does not allow adequate downloading or printing, then the print title will be retained.
Will the online journals allow access by remote students?
If the license to the electronic product does not allow access by remote students the print title will be retained. Most licenses allow alternative forms of delivery to students without access. E.g. off-campus students, with inadequate online access, will be able to ask for online journal articles to be printed and mailed to them by Library staff.
Will the online journals allow the use of journal articles in coursepacks or on DSO?
If the license to the electronic product does not allow either multiple printing for coursepacks or direct linking to the article level, the print title will be retained.
What if technical difficulties prevent electronic access?
Trials of all new products are undertaken before purchase and the technical capability and stability of the product is evaluated. Print titles will not be replaced by products known for technical instability.
My favourite journal is no longer on the shelf. How do I find it?
- The Library will provide notices on the journal shelves to alert users to print titles previously subscribed to where current issues are now only available online.
- Many journals provided by the Library are online only as we have never maintained a print subscription in the past.
- Titles can also be accessed via the Library homepage and catalogue. eg. the A to Z listing of electronic journals available to Deakin University (this list includes some titles yet to be added to the catalogue).
- Library staff are available to assist users to access electronic journals.
