ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

Fast facts

Ann Viles

Free access to physics journals

The Institute of Physics Publishing now offers free electronic access to the latest complete issues of 29 of its journals. Archived issues and “accelerated articles," which are published online in partially completed forthcoming issues as soon as accepted, are still available only to subscribers.

“Free access to current issues for non subscribers,“ Institute of Physics Publishing, January 9. 2001. http:// www.iop.org/free2001/. June 2, 2001

Bookstore sales gaining

In contrast to the slumping economy, the book industry continues strong. February became the “thirteenth month in a row that bookstore sales exceeded sales for the previous year.” Preliminary figures from the Bureau of the Census Current Retail Trade Branch show an increase of 7.2 percent in February following a 14.1 percent increase in January.

“Bookstore Sales Move Forward in February," American Booksellers Association Industry Newsroom, http:// www.bookweb.org/news/btw/4560.html. June 2, 2001

British Library Public Catalogue

The BLPC, the British Library’s new online catalog launched January' 29th, now includes printed music scores not previously online and allows users to place orders for articles from journals or conference proceedings in the Library’s Document Supply Centre. The library's previous Online Public Access Catalogue received more than 24 million hits last year.

“The British Library's New Catalogue Gives Free Access to Over 500 Years of Human Endeavour,“ British Library Information, http://www.bl.uk/information/pr2001/04.html. June 2, 2001

Records preservation funding

Funding requests for records preservation and access proposals received by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission increased by 33 percent to total $18.5 million for FY 2001, three times the commission’s $6 million annual appropriation for grants since 1998. At its final meeting for FY 2001, the Commission recommended funding for 48 projects totaling $2,898,008.

“NHPRG May 2001 Commission Meeting. NHPRC Struggles to Balance Increasing Demands Against Constrained Resources,“ National Historical Publications and Records Commission, NHPRC Press Releases. http7/www.nara.gov/ nhprc/commay01.html. June 2. 2001

Consumers not ready for digital books

Market researchers Ipsos-NPD and the NPD Group reported at the BookExpo America in Chicago last month that only 23 percent of online users are likely (3%) or somewhat likely (20%) to purchase digital books, and “77% of consumers think that digital books should cost less than either hardcovers or paperbacks. " In contrast, 55 percent of consumers who purchase goods and services on the Internet have purchased print books online.

“NPD reports that eBooks May Be Ahead of Their Time,“ NPD News, May 31,2001. http7Zwww.npd.com/. June 2,2001

Librarian shortfall in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Public Library, which “hired 93 entry-level librarians over a recent two-year period—but lost 92 to retirement and other forms of attrition," currently has vacancies for 40 librarians, and “more than a third of its 340 librarians are near retirement.’’

Sue Fox, “Shortage of Librarians Stifling Expansion,“ Los Angeles Times, May 30, 2001. EbscoHost Newspaper Source. June 2, 2001

Ann Viles is coordinator of reference and instruction at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, e-mail: vileseaQconrad.appstate.edu