November 2001
Issue 15
Contents
High Journal Costs: Not Just a UW Oshkosh
Problem
Patrick
Wilkinson
In the last issue of Polk Library News, I wrote that “flat library budgets will not be able to handle the expected increased costs of journals” in fiscal year 2002 - 2003. Consequently, Polk Library would conduct periodical use studies during Fall 2001 and Spring 2002 and conduct a formal periodicals review with college and departmental input starting in February 2002. I also mentioned that UW Oshkosh was not unique in facing this problem.
An interesting article on scholarly publishing in the November 1, 2001 issue of Library Journal, “Revolution or Evolution,” summarizes the issues facing academic libraries, faculties and universities nationally regarding unsustainable price increases in journal publishing. According to the Association of Research Libraries, serial costs rose 226% from 1986 to 2000! During the same period, costs for monographs rose only 66%, and the Consumer Price Index increased just 49%. Yes, unsustainable pricing of scholarly journals is real.
All libraries within the UW System are either canceling selected journal subscriptions this fiscal year or are planning for cancellations next year. For example, UW Madison and UW Milwaukee are canceling approximately $500,000 worth of journal subscriptions total in this fiscal year. Library directors across the UW System are informing their faculty that libraries can no longer afford to purchase expensive subscriptions that receive little use, that libraries within UW System cannot afford duplication of expensive titles and that libraries need to critically evaluate journals from publishers that have an established history of exorbitant pricing.
Nationally and System-wide, library directors are asking faculty who serve on editorial boards of peer-reviewed journals to demand a say in journal pricing and to consider the long-term visibility and accessibility of their research before submitting an article or signing over copyright ownership to certain publishers. In addition, they are asking faculty to be aware that many areas of study now have at least one peer-reviewed journal on-line that is fairly priced and focused on the distribution of scholarly research, not profit.
There are many efforts by academia to develop journal publication models that concentrate on access to scholarship over profit. Polk Library subscribes to several of these including JSTOR, Project Muse and BioOne. The Chronicle of Higher Education’s daily edition from October 18, 2001 reported an assertive move by half the editorial board of Machine Learning (published by Kluwer) who resigned to join a peer-reviewed journal that is distributed free on-line. These scholars said in part “journals should principally serve the needs of the intellectual community, in particular, by providing...immediate and universal access to journal articles that modern technology supports, and doing so at a cost that excludes no one.”
Obviously these are difficult issues when so much depends on peer-reviewed literature--scholarship, teaching, learning, promotion and tenure. Library directors in the UW System are aware of this and are looking at ways to coordinate journal cancellations so UW faculty, students and staff have access to all the research literature that they need. In the next two years, UW libraries will be exploring ways to coordinate their efforts to provide convenient and cost-effective desktop delivery of research articles to the university community.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about
this topic, please feel free to contact me, Patrick Wilkinson, Library
Director.
Office: Polk 204; Phone: 424-2147.
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UW Libraries Strategic Planning
Patrick
Wilkinson
In an era of low budgets and high expectations for library services, how are UW libraries planning to provide the best possible information resources for learning, teaching and research? The simple answer is focused cooperation among all UW System libraries.
Recently, the Council of University of Wisconsin Libraries (CUWL) developed strategic directions based on a vision that states: “The UW System libraries, fostering the ‘one system, one library’ concept by working together as a coordinated university library system, will provide students, faculty, staff and Wisconsin citizens with access to a truly great public university library collection and to a global network of electronic information resources.”
Some of CUWL’s strategic directions based on this vision include the following tenets:
•UW library collections will be developed as an integrated, interdependent resource,
•UW libraries will provide timely access to the high quality, shared book, periodical and multimedia information resources...and gateways to digital information,
•UW librarians will serve as information resource managers and teachers who assist their constituencies with using new learning systems and information technologies.
What types of specific actions can UW Oshkosh students, faculty and staff expect from this vision and these strategic directions?
In the next year, the university community will see,
•Increased emphasis on resource sharing among UW libraries. “Universal Borrowing” will be implemented. Students, faculty and staff will be able, through the library’s on-line catalog, to identify and check out materials from all other UW System libraries. This will be supported by a 5 day a week van delivery service.
•Coordinated journal cancellation projects. Each campus is or will be doing journal cancellations projects. This will be done in a manner so UW faculty, students and staff will have access to all the research literature they need.
•Enhanced “shared” collections of electronic resources. Many of the electronic resources that Polk Library provides to the campus are purchased from a fund centrally administered by all libraries within UW System. There will be evaluation of these resources to ensure that they meet the most pressing needs of the university community. UW System libraries are also investigating the issue of whether campuses could contribute local collection funds to the “shared” fund in a manner that would increase access to information for their local campuses.
•Greater efforts to use appropriate information technologies to improve library services. System libraries will be looking to start or improve their electronic reserve services. (For example, Polk Library has had a very successful start to its new electronic reserve service this Fall). Libraries will be looking at ways to provide speedy and convenient desktop delivery of journal articles System-wide. Also, Libraries will be looking at ways to provide web-based, real-time reference services and make available on-line educationally significant print resources such as valuable archival collections.
UW libraries are looking toward the future. They will be offering a wide range of electronic library services and collections that are available 24X7X365. At the same time, they will preserve and acquire valuable traditional library materials that are vital for learning, teaching and research. UW libraries will be playing an important role in integrating the best of traditional sources with the best of electronic information to support a dynamic and changing learning environment.
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America: History and Life Adds Full-Text
Links
Cynthia
Huebschen
The bibliographic database America: History and Life, offered through a subscription with UW System, has added links to full-text articles which are available in the database J-Stor. The J-Stor “Arts and Sciences Collection,” also available through a UW System subscription, is an archival database of full-text articles in approximately 160 selected scholarly journals, with a “rolling wall” of older issues up to approximately 1996. When a researcher in America: History and Life finds a reference to a journal that is available in J-Stor, a blue link will appear on the bibliographic record to “JSTOR.” When the researcher clicks on that link, a new window will open which takes the user directly to the article in J-Stor. The article, which will appear in PDF format, can then be printed using the “print” option on J-Stor’s screen.
Some of the journals offered in full-text through J-Stor include: American Economic Review, 1911-97; American Historical Review, 1895-1995; Annals of Mathematics, 1894-1995; Biometrika, 1901-95; Black American Literature Forum, 1976-91; Demography, 1964-98; International Journal of Ethics, 1890-1938; Journal of Business, 1954-95; Journal of Modern History, 1929-99; Journal of Negro Education, 1932-95; Journal of Southern History, 1935-95; Man, 1901-94; Mind, 1876-1993; Political Science Quarterly, 1886-1996; Sociology of Education, 1963-95; and World Politics, 1948-95.
At present the only full-text articles linked from America: History and Life are those available in J-Stor. If the database publisher is able to arrange links to any other full-text journal databases for which we have access, these will be added in the future as they become available.
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Nature On-Line
Cynthia
Huebschen
In October, on-line access to the prominent journal Nature was made available to faculty, staff and students of the UW campuses due to the efforts of UW Madison and the Committee on Institutional Cooperation. Polk Library has added links to Nature from our Web resources page under “Life and Environmental Sciences,” and there is presently a link from our home page as well, under “Features & News” as a “New Resource.”
The starting screen is somewhat cluttered; the easiest way to get into the journal Nature on-line is to click on the cover of the current issue (displayed prominently on the left side of the page), or on “Table of Contents” underneath the cover image, or on “Archive,” which will give access to older issues as far back as June 5, 1997. The journal contents can be searched; users will see a “Search” option when clicking on “Table of Contents” or “Archive,” or may use the “quick search” or “advanced search” buttons near the top of the home page.
UW Oshkosh users do not, at this time, have access to all of the other features on Nature’s home page, such as other “Nature journals” or “Specialist journals,” or the “NPG Reference Works” offered near the top. (We do have the Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics, a 2001 title, in our print Reference collection). Some of the options on Nature’s home page, such as the “Genome Gateway,” are included in our subscription.
Access to Nature on-line is available off-campus via Polk Library’s proxy server. The database seems to work better with Internet Explorer than with Netscape.
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How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Betsy Schutte, EMC Assistant
This summer was perhaps one of the most exciting of my life. I was lucky enough to meet a 13 year-old girl named Lena, and her younger sister, who traveled across the country to escape from their abusive father; and a 16 year-old girl who went by the name Stargirl, who taught me about caring for other people and being an individual. I also met a 14 year-old British girl who made me laugh until I had tears in my eyes! Just when I thought things were slowing down, I met a fifteen-year-old interracial couple who spoke to my heart in a way I’d never experienced before. I traveled across the United States, learning of family ties, the value of friendship, heartbreak and heartache and overcoming obstacles--and never once did I leave Oshkosh.
In all reality my summer was spent working various jobs, one of which was 20 hours a week in the EMC [Educational Media Collection]. The stories I learned, the adventures I had, and the people I met all came from the pages of the Young Adult Fiction books I stumbled upon while shelving each day.I still have a list of books I didn’t get to read over the summer that I am hoping to devour during Christmas break.
The Young Adult Fiction books are fairly short, easy to read, and provide entertainment to readers of all ages. In fact, I would encourage everyone to stop by and pick up a book from the Young Adult Fiction collection. I recommend I Hadn’t Meant to Tell You This, Lena, and If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson; Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli; Angus, Thongs, and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison; Make Lemonade and True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolff; Michael, Wait for Me! by Patricia Calvert; Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry; Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan; and Glory Field by Walter Dean Myers.
EMC materials are available for
checkout during regular library hours and the friendly EMC Staff will
be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have.
The EMC Staff are available Monday ~ Friday 10:00 am ~ 9:00 pm, Saturday
1:00 pm ~ 5:00 pm, and Sunday 5:00 pm ~ 9:00 pm.
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What Becomes a Legend?
Karen Dunn
“Writing fiction has developed
in me an abiding respect for the unknown in a human lifetime and a sense
of where to look for the threads, how to follow, how to connect, find
in the thick of the tangle what clear line persists. The strands are all
there: to the memory nothing is ever really lost.”
—Eudora Welty, One Writer’s Beginnings
[1984], "Finding a Voice"
I love email. While I wouldn’t qualify this love as obsessive, I generally look forward to powering up the PC to see what’s there. Email has enabled me to efficiently address my professional concerns yet maintain a consistent connection with dear friends far and wide.
While this medium accommodates the quick terse bite, I am loath to forward any mail that I have not ruthlessly edited. After all, this is one manner of correspondence, a discourse that ideally requires the rigors of print. But I should ask whether you recall the last time you actually posted a letter that required your finest cursive and attention for more than the briefest of salutations? And so, I muse upon Eudora…
Steve Dorner (formerly from UIUC [University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign], now Qualcomm) is credited with designing the Eudora email program. While exhausting countless hours conceiving this electronic mail program, he fondly recalled a short story written by Eudora Welty, “Why I Live at the P.O.” As his software would prove evocative of a ‘post-office’, the name “Eudora” was aptly applied to the product. The quirky association reportedly delighted Eudora Welty.
Mississippi-born writer and photographer, Eudora Welty (1909-2001) made an exceptional contribution to the literary canon, capturing a southern life experience with grace and good humor. As you compose your pithy electronic messages to friends and colleagues, I invite you to remember the prose of one exceptional lady of letters. She may just inspire you…
[Polk Library owns several editions of Welty’s short fiction and novels].
Trivia: Eudora Welty attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison—It has been documented that she didn’t care too much for the weather.
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What You Always Wanted to Know about Book
Clubs, but Were Afraid to Ask...
Jeanne
Foley
Where can I go to talk about a really interesting book, network with colleagues, meet new UW Oshkosh people and eat my lunch?
Reeve Union 214, at 11:45 where the fledgling UW Oshkosh Eat-Your-Words Book Club meets one lunch hour a month.
What books are selected?
Books are selected that come with high recommendations from any member.
Why would I participate if I only enjoy reading mysteries (or fiction or non-fiction)?
To network with other readers, escape from your cubicle, get a great lunch from the union, hear about a book you would never have discovered on your own...the potential benefits are endless.
Does any one person dominate the discussion?
No, because everyone is eating some of the time and we don’t encourage speaking with your mouth full.
What if I’m too shy to join in with a bunch of strangers?
Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet. We invite you to come join us!
Who can I contact?
Eat Your Words Book Club
Gena Frey, Testing Services
Mary Fabrycki, University Books & More
Diane Bunck, Human Resources
Pat Stremer, College of Business Administration
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In the spirit of the Chronicle of Higher Education, “What They’re Reading on Campus” column, student staff members of Polk Library were invited to respond to three statements regarding the books they have enjoyed, the books they are currently reading and the books they can’t wait to consume, time permitting.
Lynn
The best…and that I like to recommend…
“I enjoy books that keep my interest from beginning to end. It also depends
on my mood and what I feel like reading.” Jeffrey Archer, Kane
and Abel, Matter of Honor
LaVyrle Spencer, Nora Roberts, Nicholas Sparks—“all his books, I have
enjoyed.”
I am currently reading…
[Course materials]
I plan to read…
Harry Potter—the second book—[Harry Potter and
the Chamber of Secrets]
Janet
The best…and that I like to recommend…
Leo F. Buscaglia, Living, Loving and Learning
I am currently reading…
Ed McGaa, Mother Earth Spirituality
I plan to read…
Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
Amy
The best…and that I like to recommend…
“The Boxcar Children when I was little.
In grade school, my friends and I used to fight each other to read the
newest one that came out. Also, I loved the Babysitter’s
Club because at the time I was reading them, the girls [the characters]
were older than me and I wanted to be like them.”
“John Grisham and David Baldacci (The Winner)
are really suspenseful and keep me reading. Nicholas Sparks is one of
my favorite authors too, because his stories are so romantic and I get
wrapped up in the characters’ lives. Message in
a Bottle [Sparks] kept me crying for hours!”
I am currently reading…
[Course materials]
I plan to read…
Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie
Missy
The best…and that I like to recommend…
The Bible—“it’s the only book that really
matters.”
Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn—“it’s
so likeable and amusing.”
Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird—“it’s
just a book that everyone should read.”
Wally Lamb, I Know this Much is True—“it’s
a really good story, makes you think about a lot of things, gives a really
unique perspective on mental illness.”
Fannie Flagg, Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man—“its
hilarious!”
George Orwell, 1984—“it’s a classic. The
style is so great that you really want to keep reading. Plus, the story
itself is very interesting. It’s much better than Fahrenheit
451!” John Irving, A Prayer for Owen Meany—“it’s
so well-written and original—it’s a really funny, serious book.”
Sister Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking
I am currently reading…
Barbara Kingsolver, The Poisonwood Bible
John Irving, Cider House Rules
I plan to read…
LaHaye and Jenkins, Left Behind
Mikal Gilmore, Shot in the Heart
Ong
The best...and that I like to recommend...
“The Fear Street books [series, R.L. Stine]--I
don’t really like to read but when I do read, I like scary books to keep
me awake and interested.”
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All night study begins, Sunday, December 9 and continues until Friday, December 14, 2001.
•All night study will take place
on the entire first floor of Polk Library. The main entrance will be open
(Mall side).
•The online catalog and other electronic resources will continue to be
available.
•A campus phone and pay phone are available in the lobby.
•Restrooms are available on the first floor, north wing of the library.
The general access computer lab in Polk 118 will also be open extended hours during this week. Please speak with the lab consultant regarding the lab’s extended hours.
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Polk Library News is a publication of Forrest R. Polk Library, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
Patrick Wilkinson, Director, Polk Library 920-424-2147 wilkinso@uwosh.edu
“Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.” --Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)