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NASIG’S 6th conference explores changes in scholarly publishing and strategies for libraries

The North American Serials Interest Group (NASIG) held its 6th Annual Conference June 14— 17,1991, at Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas. The theme of the conference was “A Changing World.” A record 463 attendees represented all aspects of the serials community: librarians, subscription agents, publishers, educators, binders, and bibliographic utilities.

The first plenary session, “Changing Technologies,” explored the future of electronic publishing. Timothy B. King (John Wiley) discussed the anticipated change in the delivery and retrieval of scholarly information by the year2000. Anne B. Pitemick (University of British Columbia) questioned the affects of human, social, and economic factors on electronic vs. print formats. Charles W. Bailey Jr. (University of Houston) described network-based electronic serials as an alternative method of publishing scholarly information. The conclusion was that although scholarly research will be affected by emerging electronic technologies, electronic journals will not fully replace paper formats in scientific and scholarly publishing in the next decade.

The second plenary session expanded the conference theme by focusing on “Changing Information Worldwide.” Francis Narin (CHI Research Inc.) discussed the correlation between scientific publishing and the issuing ofpatents. John F. Riddick (Central Michigan University) explored the impact of the European Economic Community on scholarly publishing and the distribution and cost of material. Edward Kasinec (New York Public Library) described the changes occurring in the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries that affect publishing and libraries. Margarita Almada de Asencio (Centro de Informacion Cientifica Y Humanistica, Mexico City) presented the problems of rising costs and procurement of material in Latin America. Concluding statements demonstrated that: the proliferation of scientific publishing is linked directly to the economics of a country; the formation of a single European economic market could cause more competition among traditional markets (i.e., European vendors); higher costs for Eastern European material can be expected; and the future of publishing in Latin America is dependent upon economic and political stability.

In the final plenary session, three librarians presented three specific “Strategies and Responses.” Carol Pitts Hawks (Ohio State University) gave an analysis of key features currently lacking in automated library systems, especially serials control systems, although there should be many enhancements to these systems in the future. Gail McMillan (Virginia Polytechnic Institute) discussed the results of a task force that studied the use and implications of electronic journals at her research library. The task force recommended a test study for the receipt, processing, storage, and access for these journals. The third speaker, Charles B. Lowry (University of Texas at Arlington), described how the effect of technological changes in publishing directly affects the role of the library in providing information. Dan Tonkery (Readmore, Inc.) gave an in-depth summary of the plenary sessions.

Eighteen workshops were offered at the conference on such diverse topics as starting a new medical journal, conversion to automated serials control systems, how vendors assess service charges, multiple version cataloging, interfacing automated environments, journal contents online, serial claims, and an introduction to ANSI X12. The full conference proceedings will be published in a future issue of Señals Librarian.

NASIG is an independent organization promoting communication and sharing of ideas among persons working with or concerned about serial publications. The 7th Annual NASIG Conference will be held June 18-21,1992, at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The conference will include a one-day joint session with the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP). For membership or general information contact: Lisa Peterson, NASIG Secretary, Head, Acquisitions/Serials Dept., Library, University of California, P.O. Box 5900, Riverside, CA 02517-5900; 714-787-4381; fax: 714-787-3285. Bitnet: peterson@ucrvms.—Jean Callaghan, Serials Librarian, Wheaton College (MA) and editor-in- chief; NASIG Newsletter

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