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Article
Publication date: 21 March 2016

Marietjie De Beer, Marieta Van der Merwe, Liezl Ball and Ina Fourie

The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges faced by national libraries regarding the legal deposit of electronic books, and to make recommendations for issues to…

2131

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the challenges faced by national libraries regarding the legal deposit of electronic books, and to make recommendations for issues to consider – especially with regard to developing, planning and implementing.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature published from 2000 to 2014 on legal deposit of electronic publications was examined. Key databases covering library and information science were searched, and case studies, general reviews, research papers/reports and view point articles were considered.

Findings

National libraries embarking on projects on legal deposit of electronic books need to consider the collection, preservation and accessibility of the legal deposit collection. They face challenges regarding legal deposit legislation and institutional policy, legal considerations such as copyright, environmental factors, established mechanisms for deposit, information retrieval and access, preservation, human resources, financial implications and trust. Further research and continued monitoring of issues of concern and changes are required due to technological developments and the obsolescence of technology.

Practical implications

The review raises awareness of issues that need to be considered by national libraries and other repositories to manage the legal deposit of electronic books in their institutions.

Originality/value

The review can serve as a guide for nations (particularly in developing countries) to embark on the legal deposit of electronic publications, specifically electronic books.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

Feng Bin and Qihao Miao

Although a large number of Chinese libraries keep some sort of electronic publications, mainly formal publications on CD‐ROM and online, the usage is quite different from one…

1256

Abstract

Purpose

Although a large number of Chinese libraries keep some sort of electronic publications, mainly formal publications on CD‐ROM and online, the usage is quite different from one library to another. While the hardcopy business process is mature, the rules and regularities of electronic publications in libraries are under development; many business models are on a trial basis. This paper plans to investigate what and how many of these electronic materials should be bought and brought to the users, and how they are used, which are still embarrassing questions for librarians.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors made an inquiry into the current status of formal electronic publications, including e‐books and e‐journals at the two major library groups: public and university libraries, as found out from the explanation of the gap by literature analysis and interview.

Findings

Through the survey on a few leading libraries of China, we found the big usage gap of e‐journals in public versus university libraries in China. The factors that cause the usage difference are that public libraries have diversified reader needs, lack of general‐purpose e‐publication, inferior skill in using e‐publications, a charging service model of e‐publications, less negotiating power and pricing.

Originality/value

The authors believe that if the improvements outlined in the paper are introduced, then public libraries can lift their e‐publication service to a higher standard, including extension of the subject scope, building of consortia, upgrading of the reading environment, and enhancing of the user training and service.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2004

Rafael Ball and Cornelia Plott

Postmodern society is characterized by information overload. In the scientific and academic sector alone there are more than 100,000 journals and 80,000 new books published each…

Abstract

Postmodern society is characterized by information overload. In the scientific and academic sector alone there are more than 100,000 journals and 80,000 new books published each year, also a vast number of electronic documents. There are about 170 million hosts on the WWW, with an estimated 500 million sites. The number of serious scientific documents published solely in an electronic form is increasing constantly. It is becoming more difficult to identify relevant information and documents, so there is a need for a unique and permanent identifier for electronic documents. Although it is possible to identify print products unambiguously according to a uniform world‐wide standard (ISBN, ISSN), this is not yet the case for electronic documents. At the moment, the internet address (URL) is frequently used to cite and retrieve the documents. However, URLs may change and the publications then frequently simply disappear. Clear and permanent identification systems are therefore necessary so that online publications can be cited, retrieved and used. Libraries in particular are very interested in a unique and permanent identifier for electronic documents. Two different systems, the uniform resource name (URN) and the digital object identifier (DOI), are presented as examples of ways in which electronic publications can be identified.

Details

New Library World, vol. 105 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0307-4803

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1994

Samuel Demas

The elements of a conceptual and organizational model for conducting systematic selection of electronic publications are presented. Refined at Mann Library over the past decade…

Abstract

The elements of a conceptual and organizational model for conducting systematic selection of electronic publications are presented. Refined at Mann Library over the past decade, the model is designed to develop staff expertise in selection of information resources across formats, and to ensure that the full impact of selections on every part of the library organization is anticipated at the time of selection. Described are the concept of information genres, the role of genre specialists, and a selection review board, the Electronic Resources Council, which is made up of representatives from throughout the library organization. The model is presented as a method of mainstreaming, or operationally and conceptually integrating, electronic publications into the library's resources and services.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Book part
Publication date: 2 December 1997

A.J. Meadows

Abstract

Details

Communicating Research
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-84950-799-8

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2001

Bernd Wegner

The European Mathematical Information Service (EMIS) is a cooperative venture between several international partners under the umbrella of the European Mathematical Society (EMS)…

586

Abstract

The European Mathematical Information Service (EMIS) is a cooperative venture between several international partners under the umbrella of the European Mathematical Society (EMS). The main purpose of EMIS is to provide access to freely available information on mathematics in the Web. As an important part of EMIS an electronic library is stored on the main server and its mirrors, collecting all freely accessible electronic journals in mathematics combined with electronic versions of printed journals. It also contains electronic proceedings, volumes and monographs. This core content is embedded in, and linked with, an environment of comprehensive facilities for accessing mathematical research papers: literature information databases, projects for one‐stop shopping sites for mathematics on the Web, freely available digital content of classical mathematical publications and access to electronic grey literature. The aim of this article is to describe this part of EMIS in some detail.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1996

Martin Feijen

In 1993 the Koninklijke Bibliotheek in Den Haag (KB) decided to start the preparations for a depository of electronic publications produced in The Netherlands as an extension to…

Abstract

In 1993 the Koninklijke Bibliotheek in Den Haag (KB) decided to start the preparations for a depository of electronic publications produced in The Netherlands as an extension to the already existing depository of printed publications.

Details

Program, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0033-0337

Abstract

Details

Advances in Librarianship
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-12024-617-5

Article
Publication date: 1 December 2000

M. Landoni, R. Wilson and F. Gibb

This paper presents the results of two studies into electronic book production. The Visual book study explored the importance of the visual component of the book metaphor for the…

1888

Abstract

This paper presents the results of two studies into electronic book production. The Visual book study explored the importance of the visual component of the book metaphor for the production of more effective electronic books, while the WEB book study took the findings of the Visual book and applied them to the production of books for publication on the World Wide Web (WWW). Both studies started from an assessment of which kinds of paper book are more suitable for translation into electronic form. Both also identified publications which are meant to be used for reference rather than those which are read sequentially, and usually in their entirety. This group includes scientific publications and textbooks which were both used as the target group for the Visual book and the WEB book experiments. In this paper we discuss the results of the two studies and how they could influence the design and production of more effective electronic books.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 18 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Keywords

Content available
196

Abstract

Details

Library Hi Tech News, vol. 18 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0741-9058

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