Subscription Agents, Libraries and Others Involved in the Information Dissemination

An information revolution is underway around the world. More than 108 million people world-wide have access to the Web and some 1.9 million homepages provide a wide variety of information. The move to electronic information formats is changing the processes and methods for conducting business. Timeliness is more important than ever and the focus is on easy access to information. Those of us who are in the business of providing access to information are changing with these demands and technologies. Journals, serials, newspapers and other periodicals are becoming 'electronic,' and we still have to find ways to provide access. The major players are the same in this 'electronic age' -- libraries, publishers and subscription agents --and the need to work together is far greater now than ever before. Changes in the roles and the functions of information professionals are apparent. The creation of the serial by the publisher remains the same, but now there are choices in formats. Whether electronic or paper, the serial is still published and circulated but how does an 'electronic' or 'online' serial get 'circulated?' For years, libraries have found it easy to work with subscription agencies to order numerous paper-based periodicals. With many serials available, both online and in paper formats, ordering and circulation become more complex, especially since electronic formats are expected to become more commonplace. Publishers, agents and libraries are turning to the World Wide Web to distribute information and are working together to provide users access to this information. Subscription agents can provide such online services as searching, ordering and claiming. Online services give librarians immediate access to databases at various subscription agencies, offering fast, accurate sources for locating online journals and other electronic serials. As more publishers begin to offer online serials, subscription agents will develop services to make access to those and traditional serials easier, while maintaining a traditional role as subscription management organisations. What we see as the future today-may change tomorrow, however. Thus the traditional role of the library is changing. Many libraries are forming or joining consortium groups, pooling their resources with others to provide their users with online materials efficiently. This is one solution that is beneficial for everyone involved. There are many concerns related to production of online journals, including cost, archiving and cataloguing. To find solutions, traditional boundaries will change -- formats, access methods and services. To keep up with changes, investments in technology, resources and strategies are required. The World Wide Web has provided the information industry with the best tool yet for fast access of information over the broad spectrum of users and library patrons. this valuable tool must be thoroughly utilised to manage information in the Information Age