Transforming thyself: Serials agents in a digital world

Abstract

Purpose

This article discusses the impact of electronic resources on the suite of services provided by serials agents.

Design/methodology/approach

The article describes the changing needs of academic libraries in this new environment, and the ways in which serials agents can repurpose themselves to remain a corner‐stone of serials management. A white paper by R2 Consulting is referenced for its insights into the expectations and requirements of academic libraries. Brief statements by two Otto Harrassowitz executives are included.

Findings

If agents are to take on these new responsibilities for e‐journals, libraries must expect to pay something beyond typical service fees. Many cash‐strapped libraries will find it difficult to pay higher fees to agents than they do presently, even for services that could save hundreds of hours per year in staff time. Consortia‐purchased collections and the proclivities of a handful of large publishers aside, it will no doubt become necessary for libraries to entrust all subscriptions to agents as the majority of subscriptions maintained by libraries migrate from print to electronic.

Originality/value

Outlines a role for serials agents in the new digital information world.

Citation

Medeiros, N. (2005), "Transforming thyself: Serials agents in a digital world", OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 8-12. https://doi.org/10.1108/10650750510578082