In reply to Lucy Hastings' query, I would list the for and against points as
follows:
For:
1. The main adavantage of journals online is ease of access for users.
Anyone with a PC and Internet can get online from anywhere. Staff really
appreciate being able to use the service outside the Library, especially
from home and particualrly for full-text items.
2. Material is usually more-up-to-date than stand alone versions
3. You aren't reliant on IT staff to updates servers.
Against;
1.There is a lot of admin work in registering users, giving passwords, etc.
2. Internet can be very slow at times
3. Unlike standalones/intranets, you can't put local holdings in.
4. Could be expensive if you are using a commercial telephone provider
(we're now on NHS net, so we no longer get big phone bills).
General points:
We spend a lot of time on training users to use the system.
Printing for saving full-text items is very time-consuming, as graphics have
to be loaded separately.
I have only used the Ovid helpline once, but it seemed OK.
I suspect this is the future whether we like it or not.
I hope this is of some help.
Madeline Cox
Medical Librarian, King's Mill Centre, Sutton-in-Ashfield
tel. 01623 622515 ext. 4010
3. I find the Internet version more difficult to use
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