Electronic Resources: Exactly, What Is Online?

Librarians choosing to offer periodicals via electronic resources encounter many factors which influence satisfaction with the project. The purpose of this paper is to bring to the readerʹs attention the frequently overlooked areas of accuracy of information, extent of coverage of a journal, and updating of the coverage. These primary concerns are given much less attention in the literature than are fees, licensing agreements, and equipment. The writer addresses the question: Exactly, what is online? A determination of which electronic resource meets collection development goals and objectives must include an evaluative analysis of online information. The starting point for such an analysis is to describe the level of quality required by local standards of excellence and that which will meet usersʹ needs. The methodology in this study began with the development of a checklist itemizing typical journal contents and publication information. The list was marked as notes were made in a page-by-page comparison of current issues and recent volumes with a random sampling of titles online. Information Access Companyʹs Business ASAP and Academic ASAP, EBSCOʹs Academic 1000 and UMIʹs ProQuest Direct were studied. Numerous areas to examine in a local analysis are discussed. Librarians should be aware that full text coverage may mean selective items are covered in full text. The review of titles covered should include a look at the quality and appropriateness of the titles for the local library. Searching for the largest number of titles provided on an electronic resource may lead one away from collection development policies which are just as important for new formats as they are for paper formats.