The problem for libraries is maintaining access to the material during the transition. While the conventionally published literature exists, and while this is the form that must be cited, libraries must provide it. As we all know, most or all libraries, including mine, increasingly do not have the money to do so. Thus the expedients with consortia, payment schemes, article-by-article pricing and the like, none of which will solve the problem. What will solve the problem is the adoption of a radically less expensive way of publishing the material in the first place. That means the rapid accomplishment of the transition.
I think we all agree on this, and should therefore devote our efforts to actually accomplishing replications (including variations and experiments) of the basic proven model. We know it will basically work; once we see what forms work best then we can develop the new system further. As for publishers, I always give them the same advice about what they should do: stop publishing unneeded and unaffordable journals, and go back to publishing books. We will then have the money to buy them. David Goodman, Princeton University Biology Library [email protected] 609-258-3235
