Electronic journals and academic libraries
| Pages | 10-16 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/07378839910267145 |
| Date | 01 March 1999 |
| Published date | 01 March 1999 |
| Author | Liza Chan |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Introduction
This article aims to provide information about
electronic journals in terms of their develop-
ment, advantages and disadvantages, current
issues and trends, and implications for academic
libraries. A general review of the literature is
included for each area. The sources are mainly
from journal articles, monographs and the
Internet. While technology progresses rapidly in
library and information centres, this report
gathers a snapshot of the various opinions on
the key issues and introduces the readers to the
complex territory of electronic journals.
Definition
Different people might have a different impres-
sion or understanding of the term “electronic
journals”. Electronic journals are often referred
to interchangeably as “electronic publishing”,
“electronic serials”, “online journals” and
“electronic periodicals”. There are certain
intrinsic factors that make these terms interre-
lated or equivalent. With new developments in
technology, the distinctions are not easily
drawn.
Nevertheless, in order for this literature
review to be meaningful, a clear terminology
needs to be established. According to Webster’s
Third New International Dictionary of English
Language, “journal” is defined as “a periodical
publication, especially dealing with matters of
current interest; often used of official or semi-
official publications of special groups.” In
AACR2R, the definition of a serial is “a publica-
tion in any medium issued in successive parts
bearing numerical or chronological designation
and intended to be continued indefinitely.”
Obviously, these concepts do not fit perfectly
to define electronic journals. There is an inter-
esting column by Duranceau (1996) which
discusses the dilemma of defining electronic
serials. While some authors simply take an
electronic journal as “a publication whose
primary means of delivery to subscribers is
through a computer file” (Bombak et al., 1992,
10
Electronic journals and
academic libraries
Liza Chan
The author
Liza Chan is participating in the Associate Fellowship
program at the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda,
MD, USA.
E-mail: Liza_Chan@nlm.nih.gov
Keywords
Academic libraries, Electronic publishing, Literature review
Abstract
Reflecting upon the short history and fast development of
electronic journals, there is no doubt that electronic journals
open up many exciting service opportunities for academic
libraries. This technology possesses both advantages and
disadvantages. Some advantages include multimedia capa-
bilities, speed of production and distribution, and accessibili-
ty. Disadvantages posed are technological, sociocultural, and
economic barriers. As a literature review, this article begins
with a brief historical background of electronic journals. It
then delineates the positive and negative aspects of the
technology and reviews the crucial issues and trends con-
cerning electronic journals, which librarians need both to be
aware of and understand. Some practical implications that
are unique to academic libraries are also discussed. Although
it is relatively new territory, it is certain that librarians’
analytical abilities and cooperative efforts to examine and
balance the factors can make electronic journals a success in
academic libraries.
Library Hi Tech
Volume 17 · Number 1 · 1999 · pp. 10–16
© MCB University Press · ISSN 0737-8831
This paper was originally written as the term project
for the course LIS 538: Automation in Libraries and
Information Centres in the School of Library and
Information Studies at University of Alberta. The
author would like to thank the Instructor, Dr Dennis
Ward, for his invaluable patience and guidance.
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