For this question:
> From: "Holle Schneider" <HSCHNEIDER_at_gw.uscs.edu>
>
> Our library has recently been asked for the number of journals we subscribe
> to. This used to be easy when all our journals were print. Now that we provide
> access to electronic journals as well as various databases that provide full
> text access for some, but not all of the titles they cover, it is becoming
> impossible to answer this question, particularly since there is also a huge
> overlap between various vendors. How have other libraries dealt with this
> problem?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Holle E. Schneider-Ricks
> Assistant Library Director
> USC Spartanburg Library
...this answer:
From: "HEBERT,MARIANNE (Library)" <HEBERTMA_at_easternct.edu>
[rec'd 2/9/01]
The only way I have found to deal with this issue is to
guess. We still think we know what our print/microform
subscriptions are. But for our full text ejournals, I
usually add up the current totals reported by each vendor
(usually from their web site descriptions). I then assume
that there is a certain amount of duplication depending
on the service, and try my best guestimate.
For example, I came up with the following guestimate for a
library display for a recent anniversary event:
Ebsco Academic Source Elite: 1,380
Ebsco Business Source Premier: 1,685
LexisNexis Academic Universe: 5,000+
JSTOR has 117
Gender NewsWatch has 175
Ethnic NewsWatch has 200
I rounded it off to ~4000. Not very scientific, and I'm not
sure how long accreditation agencies are going to accept
such vague statistic reporting. I have considered maintaining
lists or an access database to manage this question, but the
effort would be comparable to the Myth of Sisyphus.
Just my two cents!
Marianne
Marianne Hebert
Head of Technical Services &
Collection Development Officer
J. Eugene Smith Library
Eastern Connecticut State University
83 Windham Street
Willimantic, CT 06226-2295
voice: 860 465-4464
fax: 860 465-5523
hebertma_at_easternct.edu
Received on Tue Feb 20 2001 - 10:55:53 EST