From: Dan Lester <dan_at_84.com>
We're giving very serious consideration to replacing Chemical Abstracts
with a subscription to CA's STN services at the Albertsons Library of Boise
State University. Our tentative plans are to have simultaneous accounts on
the Commercial (full price) plan and the Academic plan (90 percent discount
to non-science-doctorate institutions, available in non-prime-time, and
limited databases). We imagine that the majority of use would be in the
cheap times and services, but we'd maintain a passworded account for those
who had a real need to daytime access or to the databases that are not
available on the less expensive version.
My questions are basic: Have you done this? Why or why not? Can you
describe your successes and failures, both from the library and chemistry
faculty points of view?
I'd also be interested in general comments from those more knowledgable in
the chemical literature field, or from others with specialized knowledge.
I took three years of college chemistry, but it was over 30 years ago, so
I'm not up on the latest. ACS assures us that if we have this access the
Chemistry Department will not have any problems with accreditation, since
the chemists will have full-time, full-search access when they need it.
We have indicated to the chemists that some of the savings that we expect
to have will go to the purchase of more chemistry books, journals, and/or
services. They're interested, but a bit fearful, mainly due to the access
vs. ownership issues.
I'll compile results of any responses sent to me privately, and post them
to the list. List discussion or comment is also fine with me.
thanks
dan
Dan Lester, 3577 East Pecan, Boise, Idaho 83716-7115 USA
Lynn F. Sipe (Mr.)
Associate Dean, & Deputy University Librarian
University of Southern California, Doheny Library 100
Los Angeles, CA. 90089-0182
LSipe_at_calvin.usc.edu 213/740-2929 FAX 213/749-1221
Received on Wed Dec 03 1997 - 11:23:16 EST