Embracing the Electronic Journal: One Library's Plan

The work of serialists is rarely static and now another exciting new challenge awaits us: the electronic journal. In this paper "electronic journals," also called e-journals, will mean any serials produced, published, and distributed nationally and internationally via electronic networks such as Bitnet and the Internet.' Electronic journals offer many potential benefits, including timely document delivery, direct links from online catalogs, less expensive subscription prices, and easy gathering of statistics on their use. They also pose new problems, such as: How does a library provide access? Does the library's computer have room for complete electronic journals without making sacrifices such as response time or implementation of new software? Who will archive these e-journals and how will this be accomplished?

From the point of view of the medium-sized, academic research library at Virginia Tech, the electronic journal is seen as another technological advancement to be incorporated into the collection of information sources already available from the library. Considering its mission, resources, and users, University Libraries has decided on a "near-term" approach to electronic journal access for the community we serve.