   
Section of Science and Technology Libraries
Annual Report 1994-1995
Ms Sinikka Koskiala (Helsinki University of Technology Library, Otaniementie 9, FIN-02150 Espoo, Finland (fax: +(358-0) 4514132; e-mail: sinikka.koskiala@hut.fi)) was elected Chair of the Section of Science and Technology Libraries, succeeding Ms Nancy Anderson (USA). Ms Patricia B. Yocum (Science Library, University of Michigan, 3026 Shapiro Library, Ann Harbor, MI 48109-1185, USA (fax: +(1-313) 7643829; e-mail: pyocum@umich.edu)) was elected Secretary, succeeding Ms Koskiala.
Standing Committee and Section Membership
The Standing Committee has 14 members from 10 countries, three corresponding members, and four special advisers. The Section has 102 registered members: 17 association, 79 institution, and 6 personal members. Of these, 75 are from Europe, North America, Australia and Japan, and 27 are from those countries whose interests are represented by the three regional Sections.
Projects
World Availability of Theses in Science and Technology
Due to incomplete data, the Standing Committee decided not to publish the guide in paper format. The electronic file was sent to IFLA Headquarters and is now on the IFLA Web site (http://www.ifla.org). Announcement of its availability was made in IATUL Newsletter, IFLA Journal , and various sci-tech listservers.
Electronic Deposition of Full-Text Grey Literature Documents
A. Zemskov presented a progress report on the project to examine the problems of access to and conservation of sciŠtech grey literature in Eastern Europe and Asia and to make recommendations for ensuring improved access internationally to this material. The feasibility study included
- a survey of which 25% of the 286 questionnaires have been received;
- a study of locating ongoing sister projects; and
- a pilot project at the National Public Library of Science and Technology, Moscow of monitoring full-text analogs of sci-tech journals and in-house conversion to CDs of electronic files.
The findings were reported at the IDT Conference in Paris, June 1995 and at the international librarians conference in Krakow-Przegorzaly, August 1995. Mr Zemskov will be presenting further results at the 1996 Beijing workshop.
Survey of the Content and Structure of the Information of WWW/Gopher Services of IATUL and the IFLA Section of Science and Technology Libraries . A report of the initial phase of the study was presented by Ms Irma Pasanen-Tuomainen (Finland) at the 1995 workshop coŠsponsored by the Section with the Round Table on User Education.
Future Conferences
Beijing, 1996
The theme chosen for the open session is "Management of Sci-Tech Journals in a Time of Change". Following last year's practice of distributing duties among committee members, the Chair asked David Price (UK) to be programme planner. The SC accepted one paper offered by the China Organizing Committee, and it was a pleasure to realize that it was offered by its corresponding member, Xu Hong-Ying. The Section will also hold a workshop on the theme, "Role of Grey Literature in Science and Technology". A. Zemskov (Russia) will organize the workshop.
Copenhagen, 1997
The theme of the open session has not yet been decided, but the SC is considering another session on electronic journals, or to focus on the broader subject of changes in scientific communication. Ms M. Stockmarr (Denmark) and Ms S. Barral (France) will plan the open session. Also planned is a workshop which will include several of the important sci-tech publishers who will offer participants a "vendor update".
Istanbul Meetings
Workshop
The Section co-sponsored a workshop with the Round Table on User Education on "Electronic Journals: Access, Use and Implications for Training" moderated by Martin Kesselman. Speakers included Tom Nisonger (USA) on "Electronic Journal Collection Access"; Jan Olsen (USA) on "Scholars and E-journals"; Tuija Sonkkila (Finland) on "Training Issues" and Suzanne Grefshem (USA) on "Technical Access Issues". Following these presentations, publishers' representatives Arnoud de Kemp (Springer-Verlag), Ted Caris (Cambridge Scientific Abstracts), and Robert Kimberley (ISI) offered their views on electronic publishing. [Note: papers not available.]
Open Session
Although the open session was not scheduled for simultaneous interpretation services, this did not affect attendance and the room filled quickly with an audience of 75 persons. The programme was one of several focusing on electronic publishing. Papers given in the programme were selected for a special issue of IFLA Journal in 1996, to be edited by the Section Secretary, Patricia Yocum. The theme chosen for the session was "Archiving the Electronic Journal", co-sponsored with the Section of Biological and Medical Sciences Libraries. The session featured a new format of five speakers and two reactors.
Papers presented
Handling Electronic Information: The Librarian's Changing Role
by DOLORES M. HOELLE
Abstract:
After being heralded for many years, electronic journals have arrived and are here to stay - and in ever increasing numbers. Authors, publishers, vendors and librarians must resolve a number of critical issues about this new medium. In addition to technical standards, these issues include a wide array of legal, cost, bibliographic control and archival matters. This paper concentrates on the latter group of concerns.
Electronic Journal Access at Tilburg University: A Coordinated Effort of the Library, the Computer Centre and the Publisher
by CHRISTIAAN C.P. KLUITERS
Abstract:
This paper deals with the first commercial pilot project in Europe on the electronic availability of some 120 journals published by Elsevier Science in the fields of economics and computers sciences and (applied) mathematics at the campus network of Tilburg University. After an introduction and a short history, the paper discusses the most important topics in the license such as: authorized user community; authorized usage; user feedback; and commercial terms and conditions. The role of the library and the computer centre are also considered.
Archiving Electronic Journals from the Serial Information Provider's Perspective
by WIM LUIJENDIJK
Abstract:
We are in a time when many people involved in the library community are uncertain about what their role and the role of others will be in the near and distant future. All participants in the library community today will have to be flexible and understand the true nature of their existence, or their missions. Products and services provided by all will have to change but missions will stay the same. Although traditionally handled by librarians, the archiving electronic journals could be handled by publishers, libraries, serial information vendors or even back issue dealers. Document delivery providers will be involved in the archiving of articles in anticipation of customer requests for them. Eventually, however, the party that can archive information the most effectively, efficiently and inexpensively while providing the most access will be the one to do it.
Le document À) Àlectronique et ses consÀ) Àquences sur les professionnels de la chaÀ3 Àne de l'information
by CHRISTIAN LUPOVICI
Abstract:
L'édition électronique en mode caractères bouleverse l'équilibre que s'était établi entre les acteurs de la chaîne de création et de distribution de l'information. Le document électronique permet à l'auteur d'être son propre éditeur et à l'éditeur d'être son propre diffiseur. Sa structure comporte tous les élements qui servent à leur catalogage et à leur indexation. Donc les bibliothèques n'auront plus à effecteur le catalogage original ni l'indexation, ni le résumé documentaire. La recherche de l'information et la navigation entre les documents amènent à coupler les activités de production de bases de données et de catalogues à la recherche des documents primaires. L'édition électronique oblige les bibliothèques et les centres de fourniture de documents à modifier profondément leurs méthodes de travail, leurs infrastructures informatiques et de télecommunication. L'INIST, qui est à la fois créateur de données bibliographiques et fournisseur de documents primaires, se place dans une perspective de liaison entre ces deux activités en collaboration avec tous les partenaires de la chaîne documentaire.
Electronic Journals - Training Issues
by TUIJA SONKKILA
Abstract:
Complexity and novelty of electronic journals as training objects ask for new methods in training practices. Learning while doing, self-paced learning opportunities and anonymous online conferencing are given as possible solutions. In addition, the presentation underlines the role of the library as quality controller and member of the academic community.
Towards a Worldwide Library
by BELA HATVANY
Abstract:
The origin of the journal is in the creation of knowledge - or consensus belief. It plays the role of taking academic conversations and discussions - via a panel of respected peer referees - to a wider domain. It is therefore a centrepiece in the knowledge creation conversation. This model will also apply to the electronic journal. Electronic journals and the profusion of other electronic media are challenging the role of the information profession in making the body of knowledge available to society in an organized manner. This will continue. The development of the electronic journal will occur at the same time as the reorganization and redefinition of the role of the information professional, the society they serve and the information industry, within which we all work. The future of our industry is the creation of a worldwide library. In this library all of the digital sources in the world will be available in a well-organized context. The worldwide library will be available to all users, independent of location or computing platform and at utility prices.
Design of WWW Browser Navigation: Applications for Improved Internet Access
by IRMA PASANEN-TUOMAINEN
Abstract:
Different design aspects of the navigation method applications of the WWW browsers for improved access are presented as issues for discussion. The approach highlights the similarities to the present environment where guidance in an electronic library bears a resemblance to the physical libraries and there is a likeness between the network and the structured databases concerning information searching procedures. The second phase of the study will focus on in-depth analysis of the content and structure of the WWW/Gopher services' information presentations. A final report will be issued in 1996.
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