[The original posting is in the list archives at:
http://www.infomotions.com/serials/colldv-l/06/0102.shtml
and responses follow below.]
==#7==
From: Janellyn P Kleiner <jkleiner_at_lsu.edu>
Somehow I missed the original question. As a former journalist, also
with a masters in Mass Comm, newspapers are very important to me and
our newspaper collection was dear to my heart. We also offer a Ph.D.
in Mass Comm focusing primarily on national/international policy and
politics. We had an excellent newspaper collection for many years.
But, lack of use of paper copies became obvious in recent years even
when our array of newspapers were prominently displayed in our
periodicals reading room on the main floor. Alas, no more!!
We have been reviewing all of our collections periodically for more
than a decade to ensure that our funds are directed to meeting our
users' needs. In these activities, we have reviewed newspapers at
least twice, maybe more often, in the past six years. This has led to
cancellation of most of our print paper subscriptions and virtually
all of our important foreign papers
based on faculty input, particularly from the Dean and others in the
College of Mass Communication. No one was more shocked than I was when
they favored canceling important foreign newspapers. Granted the
majority are available online and we retained a number of the best
titles on microfilm but, for the most part, the paper is gone.
Journalism, and particularly print journalism, is undergoing an
unfortunate downgrading not only in readership but among some
scholars. That is my theory based on a combination of facts and
perception. I could be wrong, but, in my opinion, today's journalists
lack the objectivity in offering straight facts and figures that was
the primary function of journalists when I was a reporter. I often
wonder if television and videos have negatively affected our print
media, but that's my obvious bias. One wonders how this will effect
future historians' books about this era with all the spinning of fact,
fiction, and opinion. Nevertheless, I must agree that the demand for
the paper is no longer there. This offers an excellent avenue for
saving funds and directing them to the online versions that are
in demand and/or for buying film for future researchers. We can only
hope there will be some who find it useful.
As an aside, I've been concerned about the future of journalism and
analytical reporting being degraded to mere comic books in order to
attract
readers. USA Today started this unfortunate trend. And, today we have
Duke's Center for the Study of the Public Domain publication entitled
"Tales from the Public Domain: Bound by Law? -- Trapped in a Struggle She
Didn't Understand." Don't get me wrong, I ordered a hundred copies
for our
multi-media Information Commons to open this fall. Our users will love it
and definitely relate to its portrayal of intellectual property and fair
use in the comic format. Its by Day A Filmaker (by night she fought for
Fair Use). It pains me to say this, but cancel those print subscriptions,
buy film where it's needed, and get online if you're not already
there. Not
one user has even noticed their absence. I could cry!
Jane Kleiner
Associate Dean of Libraries for Collection Services
The LSU Libraries
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: 225-578-2217
Fax: 225-578-6825
E-Mail: jkleiner_at_lsu.edu
Received on Fri Jun 09 2006 - 01:19:20 EDT