At the University of Nottingham we are looking to phase out our CD-ROM network in the next 15 months, and therefore seeking to migrate services to the Web where possible. Although web subscriptions invariably seem to cost slightly more than CD subscriptions, I suspect increasing numbers of libraries may be prepared to pay this (provided it is not *too* much more) if they can offset savings from no longer having to pay for CD-ROM networking software/maintenance and staff time to support it.
I must confess that the driving force behind our situation at Nottingham is the need to upgrade the networking software and our concerns about the time required by support staff to keep legacy CD-ROMs functioning (often one-off purchases or something we received free with print). However, this is coupled with low usage of databases on the network (even though, where possible, these can be launched from within MetaLib when on campus).
I would therefore be interested to hear from other academic libraries which have recently discontinued their CD-ROM network or are thinking of doing so.
Alison
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Alison McNab
Head of Academic Services
Research & Learning Resources Division
Information Services
The University of Nottingham
University Park
NOTTINGHAM NG7 2RD
Tel: 0115 846 7622
Fax: 0115 951 4558
Email: [log in to unmask]
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