One-Stop Shopping for Journal Holdings

Abstract

In this chapter, the author advocates providing a unified, seamless interface—one-stop shopping—for the full range of journal literature available and of interest to library patrons. After outlining the reasons why libraries should provide this access, the chapter reviews the tools available for making journal collections accessible, then analyzes the categories of journal literature to which a library could provide access—print and individual electronic titles, aggregated collections and big deals, free titles, free articles, and articles available for purchase. The chapter discusses the challenges associated with each category, as well as tools available to overcome these challenges. It closes with a brief look at future trends that will affect the ability of libraries to provide coherent, seamless access to journal literature.