Dear all
As far as ACM is concerned, I got the list of new URLs through NESLI but
have failed in various attempts to contact ACM about it. I agree with
Lesley that it causes problems when syntax and URL changes are not reported
to sites which have access to these resources.
Along with syntax changes, I'd like to see regular updates on titles
included in a publisher collection (some do this, some don't), regular
updates on changes in years available, updates on changes of titles,
mergers, ceased publications, delays in publication, and on any issues and
articles not made available online. Some of the publishers and aggregators
we deal with do provide this information, but many don't. Nearly all of
them should have some admin contact information so they should know who to
contact, failing this, making such changes clearly visible on the site would
be appreciated. In the case of URL changes, we often have little or no
notice. In the case of Kluwer there has at least been an overlap where old
links do work alongside the new ones.
Such consideration for those of us trying to provide a service to our
readers would be welcome!
Louise
Louise Cole
Electronic Resources Co-ordinator
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT
e-mail [log in to unmask]
tel 0113 343 5502
fax 0113 343 5561
[Lesley wrote:]
Hi,
There are a host of issues/problems which face librarians and others in
trying to keep their records on their ejournals up to date, one problem
that raises its head from time to time is when the syntax of the URL
changes completely without warning or communication from the relevant
publisher. This happened with Kluwer journals a while back.
Our two recent examples are with the IEEE Xplore and ACM Digital Library
changing their URL syntax - one of these was found out by accident when
checking the URL for a new title on the ACM site, the other was found
out with the assistance of a member of this list. There is urgent need
for some communication from publishers when such changes take place. We
understand the need for change, we just like to find out about it in
advance, not from our users or by accident.
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