This article discusses a project undertaken to assess the journals in a Big Deal package by applying a weighted value algorithm measuring quality, utility, and value of individual titles. Carried out by a national library consortium in Canada, the project confirmed the value of the Big Deal package while providing a quantitative approach for…

Five Grand Challenges are proposed for library research: (1) Library service: Could library services be made more meaningful? (2) Library theory: Who knew what when? (3) Library design: Have digital libraries been designed backwards? (4) Library values: How neutral can libraries be? (5) Library communities: How do communities differ? (AEF)

Discusses the challenges facing digital library evaluation and suggests a conceptual framework for evaluation derived from the systems approach. A review of evaluation efforts in research and practice concentrates on derivation of criteria used in evaluation. Essential requirements for evaluation are stated. Discussed are constructs, context, and…

This article documents the process used by the Hofstra University's Library and Faculty Senate to evaluate current serials title lists for different academic departments. The library has found that initiating this effort through the auspices of the Faculty Senate Library Subcommittee (FSLS) allows it to create an environment of legitimate concern…

Presents a conceptual and organizational model for systematic selection of electronic publications that was developed at Cornell University's (New York) Mann Library. Described are the concept of information genres, the role of genre specialists, and a selection review board. The model is a method of mainstreaming electronic publications into the…

Describes the major components of electronic journal genre statement for the Albert R. Mann Library at Cornell University (New York). Discusses the guiding principles of collection development as they relate to electronic journals, selection criteria, the selection strategy for scientific electronic journals, and the present and future status of…

Describes the experiences of two health sciences libraries, at East Carolina University and at the University of Virginia, in developing electronic collections. Highlights include full-text, Web-based resources; licensing issues; joint access to electronic resources through consortia; collection development policies; and an electronic resource…

Identifies elements that are important for academic libraries to use in evaluating electronic books, including content; acquisition and collection development; software and hardware standards and protocols; digital rights management; access; archiving; privacy; the market and pricing; and enhancements and ideal features. Describes netLibrary, a…

Discusses selecting for a reference collection, creative budgeting, cutting a deal, collection awareness (strengths/needs), Web site reviews, R-Net (reviews from diverse areas and institutions), and print vs. electronic reference products. Reference librarian adhere to high standards for reference book and Web sites, teach assessment techniques,…