Original posting on this topic is reproduced below; the response follows it:
From: Laura Maldonado <maldonal_at_cua.edu>
I am the selector for Education materials at the Catholic University of
America Libraries. We are a member of the WRLC (Washington Research Library
Consortium) and our collections support undergraduate, M.A. and Ph.D.
programs in Education. We have the most complete ERIC microform collection
in the metropolitan Washington DC area. Our department is seriously
considering releasing the ERIC microform because of space issues. The
library will instead use E*Subscribe, the ERIC Electronic Document
Subscription Service. Our ERIC microform collection is complete, it goes
back to the 1960's, electronic access goes from 1996 forward and backfiles
(for a fee) are from 1993 to 1995, so we would in effect be giving up
access to 30 years worth of ERIC documents.
I would like to know what experience you have had with the E*Subscribe
service. I would like to pursue arguing the need to keep the microform with
my supervisor, any suggestions in this regard would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Laura E. Maldonado
Reference Librarian for Instructional Services
Selector for Education
The Catholic University of America Libraries
maldonal_at_cua.edu
=====================================================================================================================
(1) From: "Debra Quast" <DQuast_at_apu.edu>
One thing we did to conserve space is to remove all the fiche from their
paper envelopes. I have not been too impressed with the access to
E*Subscribe. We access the ERIC database via FirstSearch and the link to
the FT ERIC documents does not work. I would keep the fiche for documents
prior to 1996 and cancel the subscription for 96 on only when online access
is complete and reliable. If you are the only library in WRLC--I would not
eliminate the collection!
Debra Quast
Education Librarian
Azusa Pacific University
=====================================================================================================================
(2) From: Barbara Shaffer <bshaffer_at_Oswego.EDU>
Regarding your interest in information on the electronic E*Subscribe database,
I can tell you that our library (and many others, based on recent listserv
discussions) has been having very inconsistent experience with E*Subscribe.
Yesterday and today, for example, the system is down. We have many graduate
students living off-campus and researching from home who are very frustrated at
present with this database. EDRS has explained to us that the problems are in
part due to their new web site, but there were problems prior to the new site
as well.
We have maintained our microfiche collection as well as the electronic
E*Subscribe, and I would be very reluctant to let the microfiche purchase lapse
until service is more consistent and reliable.
Barbara Shaffer, Education Librarian
SUNY-Oswego
Oswego, NY 13126
Received on Mon Mar 18 2002 - 11:25:38 EST