Re: Duke University Press to Archive e-Books with Portico

[richards1000@comcast.net]

I think it's likely that in future, many university presses like 
Duke will begin to publish electronic-only monographs (presumably 
those which they believe won't be profitable if sold in print), 
and, respecting titles published in both print and digital 
formats, will offer electronic editions having features (such as 
updated commentary, interviews, expanded illustrations, 
interactive media, etc.) not included in the print. If the 
digital format proves more cost-effective overall, digital may 
become the predominant format for scholarly monographs, and print 
runs the exception. In either scenario ((a) print dominant with 
occasional e-only titles and dual format titles with exclusive 
digital features; or (b) e-dominant with occasional print 
editions), readers would seem to benefit from university presses' 
establishing an efficient digital archiving strategy for all 
e-books sooner rather than later to prevent data loss. I'd think 
the presses would welcome the efficiencies of such a strategy, 
since it obviates the need for ad hoc archiving decisions (and 
negotiations) down the line.

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Robert C. Richards, Jr., J.D.*, M.S.L.I.S., M.A.
Philadelphia, PA
richards1000@comcast.net
* Member New York bar, retired status.
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