PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
16 November 2005
Support
for Urgent Action to Preserve Scholarly Electronic Journals
The
members of the International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) agree with
the authors of the document known as "Urgent Action Needed to Preserve
Scholarly Electronic Journals" that the issue of long-term archiving needs
to be brought into sharper focus by the library community and its partners in
the domain of scholarly communication.
We also believe that preservation strategies must be investigated in the
context of most effective access strategies to scholarly information. Appropriate actions need to be identified,
resources gathered, and the actions themselves taken. As an informal body that brings together
leaders and administrators of consortia across the world, ICOLC will consider
this a prime topic for its upcoming meetings in 2006.
Preservation
of digital information is a critical challenge in our time, one that must be
met if we are to continue to be a society with a memory for its own thoughts
and deeds. In the second decade of
"Internet life" there are few broadly agreed and reliable strategies
for preservation of valuable information over the long term. Library consortia, working with publishers
and other vendors, typically insist on contract language that assures
electronic access in perpetuity.
However, we know as we sign those agreements
that our partners cannot really assure us that they can deliver what they
promise, nor have we the capacity to take the steps necessary to assure success
ourselves. ICOLC anticipates that in
2006 we will develop and issue specific recommendations for library consortia
to address the general concerns raised in the document. These recommendations may include information
as to how consortia can help their member libraries to: (1) raise awareness of this issue within the
parent institutions; (2) identify risk factors if no action is taken; (3) work
with publishers to create meaningful archives; and (4) consider shared library
solutions for archives and access.
Full text of the
document: <http://www.diglib.org/pubs/waters051015.htm>
Authors of the
document: The document was written
by a team led by Donald J. Waters of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, but
embracing a broadly representative group who gathered in
About
the International Coalition of Library Consortia
The
International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC) first met informally as
the Consortium of Consortia (COC) in 1997.
The Coalition continues to be an informal, self-organized group
comprising (as of September 2000) nearly 150 library consortia from around the
world. The Coalition serves primarily
higher education institutions by facilitating discussion among consortia on
issues of common interest. At times
during the year, ICOLC may conduct meetings dedicated to keeping participating
consortia informed about new electronic information resources, pricing
practices of electronic providers and vendors, and other issues of importance
to directors and governing boards of consortia.
During these sessions, the Coalition meets with members of the
information provider community, providing a forum for them to discuss their
offerings and to engage in dialog with consortial
leaders about issues of mutual concern.
For further information, and to be listed on this web site, send e-mail
to the address linked at the web site.
All consortia anywhere in the world whose members are in general
agreement with the ICOLC Statement of
Current Perspective are most welcome.
Please
see:
<http://www.library.yale.edu/consortia>
For
more information about this release, contact:
Ann
Okerson
NERL
Coordinator
Phone:
203-432-1764
Fax: 203-432-8257
E-mail:
ann.okerson@yale.edu