On 16/4/08 16:30, "Sarah Pearson" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> We have been subscribing to the American Society for Microbiology e-
> journals package since the beginning of 2007. However, in both years,
we
> have had significant problems with lack of e-access, processing
payments
> and unwillingness to compensate for lack of access.
As I recall, ASM have had separate print and online subscriptions for
some time, an oddity in itself, and it does seem false economy to change
subscription references each year. Sometimes I think it could be that
caution rules the day rather than practicality; these are expensive and
valuable titles to many institutions, and although any loss of access is
inconvenient, access lost after a gracing period (when students and
academics have potentially got used to using the content since the start
of the new academic year) can cause allegiance to be switched to other
titles, and monies allocated elsewhere at the next renewals round.
ASM have an excellent website, and they are to be applauded for their
policy of making primary journal research freely available after four
months, but a bit more working together between them and Swets/EBSCO etc
might stop access to current, core content being withdrawn at crucial
periods, or any confusion over renewal times.
I'd be interested to know about successful processes for communicating
with non-UK providers, especially professional societies, and whether we
as end-users can make this communication any more straightforward.
Best wishes
Louise
Louise Cole
Senior Information Advisor (Collections)
Nightingale Centre, Kingston Hill Campus
Kingston University
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey
KT12 7LB
Email [log in to unmask]
Telephone 020 8417 5383
Fax 020 8417 5312
Co-owner [log in to unmask]
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